Vessels sailing in cold conditions are affected by the Polar Code which enters into force on 1st January 2017. Ship owners already preparing for the new code will realise that besides technical requirements also operational aspects have to be considered. One of them is appropriate training for the crew.
The Polar Code sets the framework for the application who, when and where needs to have which qualification. As normal condition it is required that that the navigational watch officers, including the master, have received sufficient training and following this have a basic or advanced certificate of proficiency.
The requirements are separated between the ship types and the local conditions they sail in. Depending if it is a tanker, a passenger ship or another ship type and depending if the ship sails in ice free conditions (not any kind of ice is present), in “open waters” (defined as navigable water in which sea ice is less than 1/10) or in “other waters” (waters others than ice free or open waters) they have different requirements for training.
The easiest is the ice free condition where no certificate is required for anybody.
In “open waters” only tanker and passenger ship’s navigational officers on operational and management level need a basic training and the appropriate certificate.
When any ship enters “other waters” any navigational officer must have received basic training and hold the related certificate while masters and chief mates must have received advanced training and holding the related certificate.
Below DNV GL’s infographic illustrates the requirements for manning and training in Polar Region
Source: DNV GL