The Polar Code

Question 1

What ships must comply with the Polar Code?

Answer 1

Any ships operating in Arctic or Antarctic waters (Generally above 60 N and 60 S excluding North Sea and Icelandic waters)

Question 2

What are the main hazards of arctic waters?

Answer 2

1. Poor weather conditions
2. Lack of survey/good charts
3. Lack of communication and nav aids
4. Rescue is difficult and costly
5. Cold temperatures affect elements of ships structure and machinery
6. Ice adds additional weight/load on ships structure
7. The inherent danger of ice to safe navigation

Question 3

What are the three categories of ship in the polar code?

Answer 3

Category A - Designed for medium first year ice

Category B - Designed for thin first year ice

Category C - Open water or less severe than Cat A or B

Question 4

How does a ship show it complies with the Polar Code?

Answer 4

Issue of a certificate specifying operational limits and requiring

1. additional plans and procedures
2. extra safety equipment
3. Polar water operations manual
4. Special STCW training for Masters, Chief Officers and OOW

Question 5

What preparations should be made prior to navigating near ice?

Answer 5

1. Additional training for ships crew
2. Careful passage planning
3. Cold weather equipment and clothing including PPE
4. Vessel Winterisation

Question 6

What is involved in vessel winterisation?

Answer 6

1. Empty of slack off all wing and double bottom tanks and fresh water tanks
2. Check stability condition with allowance for ice accretion
3. Check all heating and air bubble systems are working
4. Check bunker status
5. Check radar is operational and scanner heating works
6. Check searchlights are operational/spare bulbs
7. Test all nav lights/spare bulbs
8. Test window heating and window was heating
9. Protect mooring ropes
10. Drain all fire main and deck lines
11. Deck machinery protected by low temperature grease and antifreeze
12. LSA - boat engines with antifreeze and freshwater tanks slackened
13. Supply crew with cold weather gear
14. Order salt for the decks
15. Order shovels, axes and hammers for clearing ice and snow
16. Check sea suctions and water recirculation systems
17. Test bunker tank heating
18. Test machinery space heating systems
19. Trim the vessel to ensure the propellor is as deep as possible

Question 7

What are the Masters duties as per SOLAS for navigating near ice?

Answer 7

To proceed at a moderate speed at night or to alter course to pass well clear of the danger zone when ice is reported

Report when sighting dangerous ice or ice accretion conditions

Question 8

What is the freezing temperature of seawater?

Answer 8

• 2 degrees C

Question 9

What are the recommended actions when encountering or hearing reports of dangerous ice accretion conditions?

Answer 9

Alter course to warmer conditions or seek shelter

OR

Reduce speed to the minimum either into the weather or following the weather to reduce sea spray to a minimum