Ice

Question 1

Polar Code

Answer 1

Goal is to provide safe ship operation and the protection of the polar environment. It specifies equipment required, design and construction requirements, operations and manning.

Chapter 14 of SOLAS

Code entered into effect 1st of January 2017
Sets out mandatory standards concerning:

• design and construction
• equipment
• operations
• training
• environmental protection

North of 60* or South of 60*

A- Medium first year ice
B - Thin first year ice
C - Open waters / Ice conditions less than A/B

Question 2

Obligations on seeing Dangerous Ice, Danger to Navigation

Answer 2

SOLAS V Reg. 31 - Master is bound to report to all ships in the vicinity and to relevant shore authorities

On receiving a danger message, as Master you are obliged to slow down and/or alter course

Question 3

Issues with navigating in Polar regions

Answer 3

-DR difficult due to constant movement to avoid Ice
-Accuracy of satellite navigation diminishes due to poor angles of cut
-Celestial Navigation difficult due to lack of twilight
-Ice affects use of radio waves
-Lack of terrestrial geographical features make navigation difficult
-Compass is unreliable in polar regions
-All time zones meet at poles
-Fog is frequent
-Ice accretion reduces GM and therefore stability of vessel

Question 4

Preparations prior to vessel entering polar region

Answer 4

Full vessel winterisation

Designed and constructed adequately
Ice Class certification - class notation - additional scantlings, thicker plate steel, rudder and prop protection, additional watertight bulkheads - receive rating depending on the classification society
Sufficient stability in intact conditions when subject to ice accretion - must taking an icing allowance into account.

Equipment
Ice proof equipment
Equipment for removing ice and ice accretion from vessel
Additive in diesel fuels, lube oils, hydraulic fluids
Radar serviced - as it will be operating continously - scanner heating function
Spare search light bulbs
Battery spares
Drain fire main
Additonal LSA in case of abandon ship
Additional spares for equipment such as rescue boat engine
Enclosed lifeboats
Adequate clothing for all persons on board

Operations
Adequate fuel, parts, provisions
Insurance coverage
Heated bridge windows
Heated door seals
Heated sea chests
Covers for critical equipment such as anchoring windlass
De-Icing paste applied to paintwork
Winterise vessel

Training
Crew appropriately trained and receive additional medical training
Crew understand implications of polar passages up in terms of isolation and potential mental health impacts
Navigational officers receive additional training
Crew have proper PPE

Environmental protection
Anchor and windlasses have covers