Arctic Shipping
Vessels operating in ice-covered waters have additional crewing requirements, such as having an Ice Navigator on board. Few Arctic ports and terminals have comparable facilities to those found in southern areas. Shipowners and masters should be fully aware of the shore facilities available when making their voyage plans, and should ensure well in advance that the crew is sufficient in numbers and training to handle challenges that may arise at port or at sea. The master must stay within the ship’s capabilities and operate at safe speeds so as to avoid collisions. It is the responsibility of the master and shipowner to ensure that their crew meets certification requirements and are experienced in this type of operation.
Crewing requirements and information about certification can be found in the Marine Personnel Regulations and The Examination and Certification of Seafarers - TP2293, which are developed and maintained by Marine Training, Examination and Certification.
Health
Navigating in the Arctic can be very demanding and tiring. Hull vibrations can have negative effects on personnel. If an operator plans to use the Arctic Ice Regime Shipping System for prolonged or difficult periods, it may be wise to assign sufficient Ice Navigators.
Study of Ice Navigator Fatigue
