Polar Code Research
Table of Contents
Introduction
Safety Measures
Polar Water Operational Manual
Subdivision and Stability
Machinery installations
Fire Safety
Manning and Training
Prevention of Pollution
Conclusion
References
Table
Table 1: STCW Code6
Introduction
International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, also known as the Polar Code, is an international system that was adopted in 2014 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This framework was designed to set the minimum standards in terms of international safety and pollution control for ships that are operated in the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the world. (Jensen, 2016). Ships that operate in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are exposed to diverse technical and commercial risks. Unfavorable weather challenges, insufficient navigational charts, and poor communication all pose unique challenges to personnel operating these ships. The Polar Code is intended to address these challenges by covering issues like ship design, construction, training, equipment, search and rescue as well as environmental protection in terms of pollution control.
Safety Measures
Understanding a ship’s operational capabilities and its limitations is crucial to enable the ship’s crew to make appropriate decisions. This is an important chapter in the Polar Code that addresses appropriate procedures which are supposed to be followed with regards to a ship’s operations so as to achieve optimum safety. Firstly, proper planning is critical so as to avoid extreme temperatures and ice levels that overwhelm the capabilities of a ship. Secondly, the crew should ensure they get updates in regards to weather forecasts on the environmental conditions of the route they will follow. Another factor to consider is the availability of specific methods of countering challenges as addressed by the meteorological information (Goerlandt & Montewka, 2015). Ability to operate and maintain equipment in conditions of very low temperatures is also vital. The chapter offers the procedure in case of emergency situations including contacting emergency response providers to assist in the search or assistance in cases of ship entrapment by ice.
Polar Water Operational Manual
Ship structure is another critical aspect addressed by the Polar Code. This chapter emphasizes that the stability of materials and structure of a ship should remain intact in the events of extreme environmental conditions. It is a requirement by the code that for vessels operating in regions characterized by low air temperatures be fitted with instruments that operate well in such conditions. Again, ships designed to deal with ice should have their structures made to overcome even the most extreme challenges posed by ice (Parsons& Progoulaki, 2014). For this to happen, the materials that build the external part ship should be approved by the Administration or organizations accepted by the Administration so that appropriate standards are followed. For instance, the appropriate dimensions of equipment building category A, B and C should be approved by these bodies based on set standards, and based on the conditions …
