Chapter 2: Polar Water Operational Manual (Part IA)

Hyperlink: Eagle.org

ABS is a leading international classification organization devoted to promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine and offshore assets.

As part of the Polar Code implementation process, ABS requires that ship owners submit their PWOM to ABS for review (not approval). ABS reviews the manual to ensure that all hazards identified in the operational assessment are addressed. Some PWOMs have utilized Appendix 10 of the ABS Guide for Vessels Operating in Low Temperature Environments to estimate the ship’s operating temperatures. ABS recommends a closer and ship specific examination of the applicable hazards and ABS offers climatic hazard analysis services which includes air temperature and sea ice analysis.

Appendix II of the Polar Code contains an example Table of Contents for a PWOM, it is a starting point and leaves a significant content to be contemplated and completed by the ship owner. ABS’ Harsh Environment Technology Center is developing a template PWOM for ABS classed vessels seeking a Polar Ship Certificate.

For more information on some of the services ABS provides see ABS Polar Code Support or please contact us at JBond@eagle.org or DOldford@eagle.org.

Hyperlink: IMO Polar Code
Follow this link for DNV GL’s guide to the Polar Code Document ‘Maritime Polar Code: Understand the Code’s requirements to take the right steps for smooth compliance’. For Chapter 2, see page 27.

See also:

• IMO Polar Code on the DNV GL website
  
• Arctic shipping risk assessment and winterisation

Hyperlink: Guidelines for the Development of a Polar Water Operational Manual

The International Chamber for Shipping (ICS) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) jointly published this document in 2019. ICS and OCIMF members consider that how a ship is operated in Polar waters, and especially in ice, is a critical aspect for safe operations. The quality of the PWOM will have an impact on achieving safe operations. This document suplements the Polar Code and its Appendix II, which provides a model for a PWOM. The document states that while Appendix II is a useful starting point, ICS and OCIMF members have found that additional information is needed to develop a quality PWOM.

Hyperlink 1: http://www.bsis-ice.de/IcePortal/
The Ice Logistics Portal (http://www.bsis-ice.de/IcePortal/) is operated by the German Hydrographic Service. This site provides convenient access to current ice charts produced by all of the national ice services in PDF and GIF formats as well as S-411 code for import to Electronic Navigation Chart System. Additionally, the site provides links to background ice information and coding standards. The ice information available on the Ice Logistics Portal is critical for voyage planning and navigation in Polar Regions. The information on the portal is not new but duplicates current ice chart data available on national ice service websites. It alleviates the need for mariners to be familiar with all of those sites and is more appropriate for the ASBPIF than an extensive listing of individual ice service websites.

Hyperlink 2: http://nsidc.org/noaa/iicwg/
For Arctic shipping, the website of the International Ice Charting Working Group (IICWG) most importantly provides contact information for all of the national ice services in the world, including 24/7 emergency access to ice information. Additionally, the site provides information about IICWG activities, summaries and presentations from annual IICWG meetings, documents on standards, and links to other ice information sites.

IICWG website

Hyperlink 1: The Polar Code by Lloyds
Lloyd's provides information and assistance for users to comply with the Polar Code. Lloyd's interactive toolkit allows users to work through the Code on their own terms and download Lloyd's register free guidance, templates and examples to help understand and meet compliance needs.

Hyperlink 2: Lloyd's Polar Code Resources
Lloyd's also provides guidance documents on; the Operational Assessment, setting operational limitations (limitation wording), determining the Operating Envelope and LR’s How to use POLARIS.

Hyperlink 3: The Polar Code: A Regulatory Interpretation Guide
This document provides Lloyd's Register guidance on all aspects of the Polar Code (chapter by chapter). For Chapter 2, see LR Regulatory Guide pages 27 to 30 and Appendix 2 of the Code.

Lloyd's Register website.

Hyperlink 1: Guidelines for the Development of a Polar Water Operational Manual

Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the International Chamber for Shipping (ICS) and the jointly published this document in 2019. ICS and OCIMF members consider that how a ship is operated in Polar waters, and especially in ice, is a critical aspect for safe operations. The quality of the PWOM will have an impact on achieving safe operations. This document suplements the Polar Code and its Appendix II, which provides a model for a PWOM. The document states that while Appendix II is a useful starting point, ICS and OCIMF members have found that additional information is needed to develop a quality PWOM.

Hyperlink 2: Northern Sea Route – Best practices and Challenges (2017)
For Chapter 2, see page 1.

Hyperlink 3: Offshore Vessel Operations In Ice and or Severe Sub Zero Temperatures in Artic and Sub Artic regions (2014).
The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to operators and charterers of offshore support vessels employed for use in areas impacted by ice or severe sub-zero temperatures with the aim of encouraging high standards of safety and environmental protection for those operating in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.

Hyperlink 1: https://wwmiws.wmo.int/

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) website displays the marine forecast and warning products that are provided to mariners via SafetyNet, SafetyCast, and NAVTEX, as part of the Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service (WWMIWS), within the framework of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The worlds' oceans have been divided into 21 areas, called METAREA's, for the provision of marine products to shipping. The products displayed are issued by the National Meteorological Services (NMS) appointed as WWMIWS Issuing Services. METAREA Coordinators are assigned to coordinate provision of the marine services for each area. Canada, Norway, Russian Federation have responsibilities in the respective METAREAs in the Arctic polar waters.

Hyperlink 2: https://community.wmo.int/technical-regulations-and-guidance
WMO provides its guidance documents to support shipping in the Arctic Waters.
The WMO No. 558 Manual on the Marine Meteorological Services is designated to facilitate cooperation in respect of the international coordination of marine meteorological services (MMS); to specify obligations of Members in the implementation of MMS; and to ensure uniformity in the practices and procedures employed in achieving these.

The WMO No. 471 Guide to the Marine Meteorological Services is to describe the requirements for the various types of service; to explain the rationale for the agreed methods of providing services; and to give guidance on how to set up and maintain marine meteorological services.

The WMO No. 574 ‘Sea Ice Services in the World’ contains a description of sea ice, methods of observation and the basis of ice information services; It also lists the sea-ice information services of 17 countries according to region, describing organization, data acquisition, output products and forecasts, and giving details of publications and postal addresses.
The WMO No. 259 Sea Ice Nomenclature provides snapshot of the WMO Sea Ice Nomenclature.

WMO website

Hyperlink: https://www.ust.is/the-environment-agency-of-iceland/
The Environment Agency operates under the direction of the Ministry for the Environment. It's role is to promote the protection as well as sustainable use of Iceland’s natural resources, as well as public welfare by helping to ensure a healthy environment, and safe consumer goods. The Agency is responsible for implementing the MARPOL convention.