GOALS , DEFINITIONS, RISKS CITED IN POLAR CODE
1 Goal
The goal of this Code is to provide for safe ship operation and the protection of the polar environment by addressing risks present in polar waters and not adequately mitigated by other instruments of the Organization.
2 Definitions
For the purpose of this Code, the terms used have the meanings defined in the following paragraphs. Terms used in part I-A, but not defined in this section shall have the same meaning as defined in SOLAS. Terms used in part II-A, but not defined in this section shall have the same meaning as defined in article 2 of MARPOL and the relevant MARPOL Annexes.
2.1 Category A ship means a ship designed for operation in polar waters in at least medium first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions.
2.2 Category B ship means a ship not included in category A, designed for operation in polar waters in at least thin first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions.
2.3 Category C ship means a ship designed to operate in open water or in ice conditions less severe than those included in categories A and B.
2.4 First-year ice means sea ice of not more than one winter growth developing from young ice with thickness from 0.3 m to 2.0 mfootnote
2.5 Ice free watersmeans no ice present. If ice of any kind is present this term shall not be usedfootnote
2.6 Ice of land origin means ice formed on land or in an ice shelf, found floating in waterfootnote
2.7 MARPOL means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto as amended by the 1997 Protocol.
2.8 Medium first-year ice means first-year ice of 70 cm to 120 cm thicknessfootnote.
2.9 Old ice means sea ice which has survived at least one summer's melt; typical thickness up to 3 m or more. It is subdivided into residual first-year ice, second-year ice and multi-year icefootnote.
2.10 Open water means a large area of freely navigable water in which sea ice is present in concentrations less than 1/10. No ice of land origin is presentfootnote
2.11 Organization means the International Maritime Organization.
2.12 Sea ice means any form of ice found at sea which has originated from the freezing of sea waterfootnote.
2.13 SOLAS means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
2.14 STCW Convention means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended.
2.15 Thin first-year ice means first-year ice 30 cm to 70 cm thick.
3 Sources of hazards
3.1 The Polar Code considers hazards which may lead to elevated levels of risk due to increased probability of occurrence, more severe consequences, or both:
.1 Ice, as it may affect hull structure, stability characteristics, machinery systems, navigation, the outdoor working environment, maintenance and emergency preparedness tasks and malfunction of safety equipment and systems;
.2 experiencing topside icing, with potential reduction of stability and equipment functionality;
.3 low temperature, as it affects the working environment and human performance, maintenance and emergency preparedness tasks, material properties and equipment efficiency, survival time and performance of safety equipment and systems;
.4 extended periods of darkness or daylight as it may affect navigation and human performance;
.5 high latitude, as it affects navigation systems, communication systems and the quality of ice imagery information;
.6 remoteness and possible lack of accurate and complete hydrographic data and information, reduced availability of navigational aids and seamarks with increased potential for groundings compounded by remoteness, limited readily deployable SAR facilities, delays in emergency response and limited communications capability, with the potential to affect incident response;
.7 potential lack of ship crew experience in polar operations, with potential for human error;
.8 potential lack of suitable emergency response equipment, with the potential for limiting the effectiveness of mitigation measures;
.9 rapidly changing and severe weather conditions, with the potential for escalation of incidents; and
.10 the environment with respect to sensitivity to harmful substances and other environmental impacts and its need for longer restoration.
3.2 The risk level within polar waters may differ depending on the geographical location, time of the year with respect to daylight, ice-coverage, etc. Thus, the mitigating measures required to address the above specific hazards may vary within polar waters and may be different in Arctic and Antarctic waters
10.9 Ice Navigation
Define
- Solid, Soft, Drift and Pack Ice; Growler; Ice berg
Explain:
- Procedure and precautions to be taken prior entering ice, and when navigating in ice
- Contents of the Polar code
- Master’s obligation to report dangerous ice
- Cold weather precautions
- Freezing sprays and steps required to minimise same.
- Steps required to minimize ice accumulation on board
Definitions:
Solid Ice: Ice that is fixed and stationary, attached to the coastline or icebergs.
Soft Ice: Young ice that has not consolidated and can be easily broken by a ship's bow or propeller.
Drift Ice: Floating ice pieces that move with currents and wind, creating ice floes.
Pack Ice: Dense areas of drift ice, consisting of closely packed ice floes.
Growler: Small icebergs or large ice fragments that are mostly submerged, posing a navigational hazard.
Iceberg: Large floating ice masses, often with a significant portion submerged, which can be a collision risk for ships.
Procedure and Precautions for Ice Navigation:
Obtain ice information from reliable sources and icebreakers before entering ice-covered areas.
Reduce speed and maneuver with caution when navigating in ice, avoiding sudden changes in direction.
Use radar and lookouts to detect ice ahead and around the ship.
Maintain a continuous watch and update ice conditions on ice charts regularly.
Employ icebreakers' assistance when necessary.
Monitor ice accretion on hull and take necessary action to prevent damage.
Contents of the Polar Code: The Polar Code contains mandatory requirements and recommendations for ships operating in polar waters, addressing ship design, construction, equipment, operational procedures, and crew training. It focuses on safety and environmental protection, considering unique challenges of polar navigation, including ice conditions, extreme temperatures, and remote locations.
Master's Obligation to Report Dangerous Ice: The Master has an obligation to report dangerous ice conditions encountered during the voyage to the appropriate authorities. This information helps improve ice navigation guidance and ensures the safety of other ships navigating in the same area.
Cold Weather Precautions:
Monitor weather forecasts and sea-ice conditions regularly.
Provide proper cold weather clothing and personal protective equipment to crew members.
Ensure heating and ventilation systems are functioning correctly in accommodation areas.
Insulate exposed pipelines and equipment to prevent freezing.
Employ measures to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.
Freezing Sprays and Steps to Minimize Them:
Freezing sprays occur when seawater spray comes in contact with cold surfaces, leading to ice accumulation.
Minimize exposure to freezing sprays by altering course or reducing speed.
Use de-icing agents on equipment and deck areas prone to freezing sprays.
Increase heating in areas affected by freezing sprays, if possible.
Steps to Minimize Ice Accumulation on Board:
Employ de-icing systems for critical equipment and areas prone to ice accretion.
Regularly remove ice buildup on decks, superstructures, and equipment to maintain stability and prevent damage.
Apply anti-icing agents to prevent ice formation on exposed surfaces.
Ensure proper drainage systems are in place to prevent water from accumulating and freezing on board.