RESOLUTION MEPC.264(68)
(adopted on 15 May 2015)
INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR SHIPS
OPERATING IN POLAR WATERS (POLAR CODE)
THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
PROTECTION COMMITTEE,
RECALLING Article 38(a) of
the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the
functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee conferred upon it by
international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution
from ships,
RECOGNIZING the need to
provide a mandatory framework for ships operating in polar waters due to the
additional demands for the protection of the marine environment, which go
beyond the existing requirements contained in the International Convention for
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of
1978 relating thereto as amended by the 1997 Protocol (MARPOL) and other
relevant binding IMO instruments,
NOTING resolution MEPC.265(68), by
which it adopted, inter alia, amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV and V to
make use of the environment-related provisions of the International Code for
Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) mandatory,
NOTING ALSO that the
Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-fourth session, adopted, by resolution
MSC.385(94),
the Introduction, as it relates to safety, and parts I-A and I-B of the Polar
Code and, by resolution MSC.386(94),
amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention to make use of the safety-related
provisions of the Polar Code mandatory,
HAVING CONSIDERED, at its
sixty-eighth session, the draft International Code for Ships Operating in Polar
Waters,
1 ADOPTS the
environment-related provisions of the Introduction, and the whole of parts II-A
and II-B of the Polar Code, the text of which is set out in the annex to the
present resolution;
2 AGREES that
amendments to the Introduction of the Polar Code that address both safety and
environmental protection shall be adopted in consultation with the Maritime
Safety Committee;
3 INVITES Parties to
note that the Polar Code will take effect on 1 January 2017 upon entry into
force of the associated amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV and V;
4 INVITES ALSO
Parties to consider the voluntary application of the Polar Code, as far as
practicable, to ships not covered by the Polar Code and operating in polar
waters;
5 REQUESTS the
Secretary-General, for the purposes of article 16(2)(e) of MARPOL, to transmit
certified copies of the present resolution and the text of the Polar Code,
contained in the annex, to all Parties to MARPOL;
6 REQUESTS ALSO the
Secretary-General to transmit copies of the present resolution and the text of
the Polar Code contained in the annex to Members of the Organization which are not
Parties to MARPOL;
7 REQUESTS FURTHER
the Secretary-General to prepare a consolidated certified text of the Polar
Code.
ANNEX
INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR SHIPS
OPERATING IN POLAR WATERS (POLAR CODE)
PREAMBLE
1 The International
Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters has been developed to supplement
existing IMO instruments in order to increase the safety of ships' operation
and mitigate the impact on the people and environment in the remote, vulnerable
and potentially harsh polar waters.
2 The Code
acknowledges that polar water operation may impose additional demands on ships,
their systems and operation beyond the existing requirements of the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as
modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto as amended by the 1997
Protocol, and other relevant binding IMO instruments.
3 The Code
acknowledges that the polar waters impose additional navigational demands
beyond those normally encountered. In many areas, the chart coverage may not
currently be adequate for coastal navigation. It is recognized even existing
charts may be subject to unsurveyed and uncharted shoals.
4 The Code also
acknowledges that coastal communities in the Arctic could be, and that polar
ecosystems are, vulnerable to human activities, such as ship operation.
5 The relationship
between the additional safety measures and the protection of the environment is
acknowledged as any safety measure taken to reduce the probability of an
accident, will largely benefit the environment.
6 While Arctic and
Antarctic waters have similarities, there are also significant differences.
Hence, although the Code is intended to apply as a whole to both Arctic and
Antarctic, the legal and geographical differences between the two areas have
been taken into account.
7 The key principles
for developing the Polar Code have been to use a risk-based approach in
determining scope and to adopt a holistic approach in reducing identified
risks.
INTRODUCTION
1 Goal
The goal of this Code is to provide for
safe ship operation and the protection of the polar environment by addressing
risks present in polar waters and not adequately mitigated by other instruments
of the Organization.
2 Definitions
For the purpose of this Code, the terms
used have the meanings defined in the following paragraphs. Terms used in part
I-A, but not defined in this section shall have the same meaning as defined in
SOLAS. Terms used in part II-A, but not defined in this section shall have the
same meaning as defined in article 2 of MARPOL and the relevant MARPOL Annexes.
2.1 Category A ship
means a ship designed for operation in polar waters in at least medium first-year
ice, which may include old ice inclusions.
2.2 Category B ship
means a ship not included in category A, designed for operation in polar waters
in at least thin first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions.
2.3 Category C ship
means a ship designed to operate in open water or in ice conditions less
severe than those included in categories A and B.
2.4 First-year ice means
sea ice of not more than one winter growth developing from young ice with
thickness from 0.3 m to 2.0 m1.
2.5 Ice free waters
means no ice present. If ice of any kind is present this term shall not be used1.
2.6 Ice of land
origin means ice formed on land or in an ice shelf, found floating
in water1.
2.7 MARPOL means
the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973,
as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto as amended by the 1997
Protocol.
2.8 Medium
first-year ice means first-year ice of 70 cm to 120 cm thickness1.
2.9 Old ice
means sea ice which has survived at least one summer's melt; typical thickness
up to 3 m or more. It is subdivided into residual first-year ice, second-year
ice and multi-year ice1.
2.10 Open water
means a large area of freely navigable water in which sea ice is present in
concentrations less than 1/10. No ice of land origin is present1.
2.11 Organization means
the International Maritime Organization.
2.12 Sea ice means
any form of ice found at sea which has originated from the freezing of sea
water1.
2.13 SOLAS means
the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
2.14 STCW Convention means
the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended.
2.15 Thin first-year
ice means first-year ice 30 cm to 70 cm thick.
_______________________________
1 Refer to the WMO Sea Ice Nomenclature.
3 Sources of
hazards
3.1 The Polar Code considers hazards which may lead to elevated
levels of risk due to increased probability of occurrence, more severe
consequences, or both:
.1 Ice, as it may affect hull structure,
stability characteristics, machinery systems, navigation, the outdoor working
environment, maintenance and emergency preparedness tasks and malfunction of
safety equipment and systems;
.2 experiencing topside icing, with potential
reduction of stability and equipment functionality;
.3 low temperature, as it affects the working
environment and human performance, maintenance and emergency preparedness
tasks, material properties and equipment efficiency, survival time and
performance of safety equipment and systems;
.4 extended periods of darkness or daylight as
it may affect navigation and human performance;
.5 high latitude, as it affects navigation
systems, communication systems and the quality of ice imagery information;
.6 remoteness and possible lack of accurate and
complete hydrographic data and information, reduced availability of
navigational aids and seamarks with increased potential for groundings
compounded by remoteness, limited readily deployable SAR facilities, delays in
emergency response and limited communications capability, with the potential to
affect incident response;
.7 potential lack of ship crew experience in
polar operations, with potential for human error;
.8 potential lack of suitable emergency response
equipment, with the potential for limiting the effectiveness of mitigation
measures;
.9 rapidly changing and severe weather
conditions, with the potential for escalation of incidents; and
.10
the environment with respect to sensitivity to harmful substances and other
environmental impacts and its need for longer restoration.
3.2 The risk level within polar waters may differ depending on the
geographical location, time of the year with respect to daylight, ice-coverage,
etc. Thus, the mitigating measures required to address the above specific
hazards may vary within polar waters and may be different in Arctic and
Antarctic waters.
4 Structure of the
Code
This Code consists of Introduction, parts I and II. The
Introduction contains mandatory provisions applicable to both parts I and II.
Part I is subdivided into part I-A, which contains mandatory provisions on
safety measures, and part I-B containing recommendations on safety. Part II is
subdivided into part II-A, which contains mandatory provisions on pollution
prevention, and part II-B containing recommendations on pollution prevention.
Figures illustrating the Antarctic area and Arctic waters, as
defined in SOLAS regulations XIV/1.2 and XIV/1.3, respectively, and MARPOL
Annex I, regulations 1.11.7 and 46.2; Annex II, regulations 13.8.1 and 21.2;
Annex IV, regulations 17.2 and 17.3; and Annex V, regulations 1.14.7 and 13.2
Figure 1 –
Maximum extent of Antarctic area application2
____________________________
2 It should be noted that
this figure is for illustrative purposes only.
Figure 2 – Maximum extent of Arctic waters application3
____________________________
3 It should be noted that
this figure is for illustrative purposes only.
PART I-A
SAFETY MEASURES
CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL
1.1 Structure of this part
Each chapter in this part
consists of the overall goal of the chapter, functional requirements to fulfil
the goal, and regulations. A ship shall be considered to meet a functional
requirement set out in this part when either:
.1 the ship's design and arrangements comply
with all the regulations associated with that functional requirement; or
.2 part(s) or all of the ship's relevant
design and arrangements have been reviewed and approved in accordance with
regulation 4 of SOLAS chapter XIV, and any remaining parts of the ship comply
with the relevant regulations.
1.2 Definitions
In addition to the
definitions included in the relevant SOLAS chapters and the introduction of
this Code, the following definitions are applicable to this part.
1.2.1 Bergy waters mean an area of freely
navigable water in which ice of land origin is present in concentrations less
than 1/10. There may be sea ice present, although the total
concentration of all ice shall not exceed 1/10.
1.2.2 Escort means any ship with superior
ice capability in transit with another ship.
1.2.3 Escorted operation means any operation
in which a ship's movement is facilitated through the intervention of an
escort.
1.2.4 Habitable environment means a ventilated
environment that will protect against hypothermia.
1.2.5 Icebreaker means any ship whose
operational profile may include escort or ice management functions, whose
powering and dimensions allow it to undertake aggressive operations in
ice-covered waters.
1.2.6 Ice Class
means the notation assigned to the ship by the Administration or by an
organization recognized by the Administration showing that the ship has been
designed for navigation in sea-ice conditions.
1.2.7 Maximum expected time of rescue means
the time adopted for the design of equipment and system that provide survival
support. It shall never be less than 5 days.
1.2.8 Machinery Installations means equipment
and machinery and its associated piping and cabling, which is necessary for the
safe operation of the ship.
1.2.9 Mean Daily Low Temperature (MDLT) means
the mean value of the daily low temperature for each day of the year over a
minimum 10 year period. A data set acceptable to the Administration may be used
if 10 years of data is not available4.
______________________________
4 Refer also to additional
guidance in part I-B.
1.2.10 Polar Class (PC) means the ice class
assigned to the ship by the Administration or by an organization recognized by
the Administration based upon IACS Unified Requirements.
1.2.11 Polar Service Temperature (PST) means a
temperature specified for a ship which is intended to operate in low air
temperature, which shall be set at least 100C below the lowest MDLT
for the intended area and season of operation in polar waters.
1.2.12 Ship intended to operate in low air temperature
means a ship which is intended to undertake voyages to or through areas where
the lowest Mean Daily Low Temperature (MDLT) is below -100C.
1.2.13 Tankers mean oil tankers as defined in
SOLAS regulation II-1/2.22, chemical tankers as defined in SOLAS regulation
II-1/3.19 and gas carriers as defined in SOLAS regulation VII/11.2.
1.2.14 Upper ice waterline means the waterline
defined by the maximum draughts forward and aft for operation in ice.
1.3 Certificate and survey
1.3.1 Every ship to which this Code applies shall
have on board a valid Polar Ship Certificate.
1.3.2 Except as provided for in paragraph 1.3.3,
the Polar Ship Certificate shall be issued after an initial or renewal survey
to a ship which complies with the relevant requirements of this Code.
1.3.3 For category C cargo ships, if the result of
the assessment in paragraph 1.5 is that no additional equipment or structural
modification is required to comply with the Polar Code, the Polar Ship
Certificate may be issued based upon documented verification that the ship
complies with all relevant requirements of the Polar Code. In this case, for
continued validity of the certificate, an onboard survey should be undertaken
at the next scheduled survey.
1.3.4 The certificate referred to in this
regulation shall be issued either by the Administration or by any person or
organization recognized by it in accordance with SOLAS regulation XI-1/1. In
every case, that Administration assumes full responsibility for the
certificate.
1.3.5 The Polar Ship Certificate shall be drawn up
in the form corresponding to the model given in appendix 1 to this Code. If the
language used is neither English, nor French nor Spanish, the text shall
include a translation into one of these languages.
1.3.6 Polar Ship Certificate validity, survey dates
and endorsements shall be harmonized with the relevant SOLAS certificates in
accordance with the provisions of regulation I/14 of the SOLAS Convention. The
certificate shall include a supplement recording equipment required by the
Code.
1.3.7 Where applicable, the certificate shall reference
a methodology to assess operational capabilities and limitations in ice to the
satisfaction of the Administration, taking into account the guidelines
developed by the Organization5.
______________________________
5 Refer to guidance to be
developed by the Organization.
1.4 Performance standards
1.4.1 Unless expressly provided otherwise, ship
systems and equipment addressed in this Code shall satisfy at least the same
performance standards referred to in SOLAS.
1.4 2 For ships operating in low air temperature, a
polar service temperature (PST) shall be specified and shall be at least 100C
below the lowest MDLT for the intended area and season of operation in polar
waters. Systems and equipment required by this Code shall be fully functional
at the polar service temperature.
1.4.3 For ships operating in low air temperature,
survival systems and equipment shall be fully operational at the polar service
temperature during the maximum expected rescue time.
1.5 Operational assessment
In order to establish
procedures or operational limitations, an assessment of the ship and its
equipment shall be carried out, taking into consideration the following:
.1 the anticipated range of operating and
environmental conditions, such as:
.1 operation in low air temperature;
.2 operation in ice;
.3 operation in high latitude; and
.4 potential for abandonment onto ice or land;
.2 hazards, as listed in section 3 of the
Introduction, as applicable; and
.3 additional hazards, if identified.
CHAPTER 2 – POLAR WATER
OPERATIONAL MANUAL (PWOM)
2.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is
to provide the owner, operator, master and crew with sufficient information
regarding the ship's operational capabilities and limitations in order to
support their decision-making process.
2.2 Functional requirements
2.2.1 In order to achieve the goal set out in
paragraph 2.1 above, the following functional requirements are embodied in the
regulations of this chapter.
2.2.2 The Manual shall include information on the
ship-specific capabilities and limitations in relation to the assessment
required under paragraph 1.5.
2.2.3 The Manual shall include or refer to specific
procedures to be followed in normal operations and in order to avoid
encountering conditions that exceed the ship's capabilities.
2.2.4 The Manual shall include or refer to specific
procedures to be followed in the event of incidents in polar waters.
2.2.5 The Manual shall include or refer to specific
procedures to be followed in the event that conditions are encountered which
exceed the ship's specific capabilities and limitations in paragraph 2.2.2.
2.2.6 The Manual shall include or refer to
procedures to be followed when using icebreaker assistance, as applicable.
2.3 Regulations
2.3.1 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraphs 2.2.1 to 2.2.6, the Manual shall be carried on
board.
2.3.2 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 2.2.2, the Manual shall contain, where applicable,
the methodology used to determine capabilities and limitations in ice.
2.3.3 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 2.2.3, the Manual shall include risk-based procedures
for the following:
.1 voyage planning to avoid ice and/or
temperatures that exceed the ship's design capabilities or limitations;
.2 arrangements for receiving forecasts of the
environmental conditions;
.3 means of addressing any limitations of the
hydrographic, meteorological and navigational information available;
.4 operation of equipment required under other
chapters of this Code; and
.5 implementation of special measures to
maintain equipment and system functionality under low temperatures, topside
icing and the presence of sea ice, as applicable.
2.3.4 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 2.2.4, the Manual shall include risk-based procedures
to be followed for:
.1 contacting emergency response providers for
salvage, search and rescue (SAR), spill response, etc., as applicable; and
.2 in the case of ships ice strengthened in
accordance with chapter 3, procedures for maintaining life support and ship
integrity in the event of prolonged entrapment by ice.
2.3.5 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 2.2.5, the Manual shall include risk-based procedures
to be followed for measures to be taken in the event of encountering ice and/or
temperatures which exceed the ship's design capabilities or limitations.
2.3.6 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 2.2.6, the Manual shall include risk-based procedures
for monitoring and maintaining safety during operations in ice, as applicable,
including any requirements for escort operations or icebreaker assistance.
Different operational limitations may apply depending on whether the ship is
operating independently or with icebreaker escort. Where appropriate, the PWOM
should specify both options.
CHAPTER 3 –
SHIP STRUCTURE
3.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is to provide that the material and
scantlings of the structure retain their structural integrity based on global
and local response due to environmental loads and conditions.
3.2 Functional requirements
In order to achieve the goal
set out in paragraph 3.1 above, the following functional requirements are
embodied in the regulations of this chapter:
.1
for ships intended to operate in
low air temperature, materials used shall be suitable for operation at the
ships polar service temperature; and
.2 in ice strengthened ships, the structure of
the ship shall be designed to resist both global and local structural loads
anticipated under the foreseen ice conditions.
3.3 Regulations
3.3.1 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 3.2.1 above, materials of exposed structures in ships
shall be approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization accepted
by it, taking into account standards acceptable to the Organization6
or other standards offering an equivalent level of safety based on the polar
service temperature.
__________________________
6 Refer to IACS UR S6 Use
of Steel Grades for Various Hull Members – Ships of 90 m in Length and Above
(latest version) or IACS URI Requirements concerning Polar Class (latest
version), as applicable.
3.3.2 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 3.2.2 above, the following apply:
.1 scantlings of category A ships shall be
approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization accepted by it,
taking into account standards acceptable to the Organization7 or
other standards offering an equivalent level of safety;
.2 scantlings of category B ships shall be
approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization accepted by it,
taking into account standards acceptable to the Organization8 or
other standards offering an equivalent level of safety;
.3 scantlings of ice strengthened category C
ships shall be approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization
accepted by it, taking into account acceptable standards adequate for the ice
types and concentrations encountered in the area of operation; and
.4 a category C ship need not be ice
strengthened if, in the opinion of the Administration, the ship's structure is
adequate for its intended operation.
________________________
7 Refer to Polar Class 1-5 of IACS URI
Requirements concerning Polar Class (latest version).
8 Refer to Polar Class 6-7 of IACS URI
Requirements concerning Polar Class (latest version).
CHAPTER 4 –SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY
4.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is
to ensure adequate subdivision and stability in both intact and damaged
conditions.
4.2 Functional requirements
In order to achieve the goal
set out in paragraph 4.1 above, the following functional requirements are
embodied in the regulations of this chapter:
.1 ships shall have sufficient stability in
intact conditions when subject to ice accretion; and
.2 ships of category A and B, constructed on or
after 1 January 2017, shall have sufficient residual stability to sustain
ice-related damages.
4.3 Regulations
4.3.1 Stability in intact conditions
4.3.1.1 In order to comply with the
functional requirement of paragraph 4.2.1, for ships operating in areas and
during periods where ice accretion is likely to occur, the following icing
allowance shall be made in the stability calculations:
.1 30 kg/m2 on exposed weather decks
and gangways;
.2 7.5 kg/m2 for the projected
lateral area of each side of the ship above the water plane; and
.3 the projected lateral area of discontinuous
surfaces of rail, sundry booms, spars (except masts) and rigging of ships
having no sails and the projected lateral area of other small objects shall be
computed by increasing the total projected area of continuous surfaces by 5%
and the static moments of this area by 10%.
4.3.1.2 Ships
operating in areas and during periods where ice accretion is likely to occur
shall be:
.1 designed to minimize the accretion of ice;
and
.2 equipped with such means for removing ice as
the Administration may require; for example, electrical and pneumatic devices,
and/or special tools such as axes or wooden clubs for removing ice from
bulwarks, rails and erections.
4.3.1.3 Information on the icing allowance
included in the stability calculations shall be given in the PWOM.
4.3.1.4 Ice accretion shall be monitored and
appropriate measures taken to ensure that the ice accretion does not exceed the
values given in the PWOM.
4.3.2 Stability in damaged conditions
4.3.2.1 In order to comply with the
functional requirements of paragraph 4.2.2, ships of categories A and B,
constructed on or after 1 January 2017, shall be able to withstand flooding
resulting from hull penetration due to ice impact. The residual stability
following ice damage shall be such that the factor si, as defined in
SOLAS regulations II-1/7-2.2 and II-1/7-2.3, is equal to one for all loading
conditions used to calculate the attained subdivision index in SOLAS regulation
II-1/7. However, for cargo ships that comply with subdivision and damage
stability regulations in another instrument developed by the Organization, as
provided by SOLAS regulation II-1/4.1, the residual stability criteria of that
instrument shall be met for each loading condition.
4.3.2.2 The ice damage extents to be assumed
when demonstrating compliance with paragraph 4.3.2.1 shall be such that:
.1 the longitudinal extent is 4.5% of the upper
ice waterline length if centred forward of the maximum breadth on the upper ice
waterline, and 1.5% of upper ice waterline length otherwise, and shall be
assumed at any longitudinal position along the ship's length;
.2 the transverse penetration extent is 760 mm,
measured normal to the shell over the full extent of the damage; and
.3 the vertical extent is the lesser of 20% of
the upper ice waterline draught or the longitudinal extent, and shall be
assumed at any vertical position between the keel and 120% of the upper ice
waterline draught.
CHAPTER 5 – WATERTIGHT AND WEATHERTIGHT
INTEGRITY
5.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is
to provide measures to maintain watertight and weathertight integrity.
5.2 Functional requirements
In order to achieve the goal
set out in paragraph 5.1 above, all closing appliances and doors relevant to
watertight and weathertight integrity of the ship shall be operable.
5.3 Regulations
In order to comply with the
functional requirements of paragraph 5.2 above, the following apply:
.1 for ships operating in areas and during
periods where ice accretion is likely to occur, means shall be provided to
remove or prevent ice and snow accretion around hatches and doors; and
.2 in addition, for ships intended to operate in
low air temperature the following apply:
.1 if the hatches or doors are hydraulically
operated, means shall be provided to prevent freezing or excessive viscosity of
liquids; and
.2 watertight and weathertight doors, hatches
and closing devices which are not within an habitable environment and require
access while at sea shall be designed to be operated by personnel wearing heavy
winter clothing including thick mittens.
CHAPTER 6 – MACHINERY
INSTALLATIONS
6.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is
to ensure that, machinery installations are capable of delivering the required
functionality necessary for safe operation of ships.
6.2 Functional requirements
6.2.1 In order to achieve the goal set out in
paragraph 6.1 above, the following functional requirements are embodied in the
regulations of this chapter.
6.2.1.1 Machinery installations shall
provide functionality under the anticipated environmental conditions, taking
into account:
.1 ice accretion and/or snow accumulation;
.2 ice ingestion from seawater;
.3 freezing and increased viscosity of liquids;
.4 seawater intake temperature; and
.5 snow ingestion.
6.2.1.2 In addition, for ships intended to
operate in low air temperatures:
.1 machinery installations shall provide
functionality under the anticipated environmental conditions, also taking into
account:
.1 cold and dense inlet air; and
.2 loss of performance of battery or other
stored energy device; and
.2 materials used shall be suitable for
operation at the ships polar service temperature.
6.2.1.3 In addition, for ships ice
strengthened in accordance with chapter 3, machinery installations shall
provide functionality under the anticipated environmental conditions, taking
into account loads imposed directly by ice interaction.
6.3 Regulations
6.3.1 In order to comply with the functional
requirement of paragraph 6.2.1.1 above, taking into account the anticipated
environmental conditions, the following apply:
.1 machinery installations and associated
equipment shall be protected against the effect of ice accretion and/or snow
accumulation, ice ingestion from sea water, freezing and increased viscosity of
liquids, seawater intake temperature and snow ingestion;
.2 working liquids shall be maintained in a
viscosity range that ensures operation of the machinery; and
.3 seawater supplies for machinery systems shall
be designed to prevent ingestion of ice,9 or otherwise arranged to
ensure functionality.
______________________
9 Refer to MSC/Circ.504,
Guidance on design and construction of sea inlets under slush ice conditions.
6.3.2 In addition, for ships intended to operate in
low air temperatures, the following apply:
.1 in order to comply with the functional
requirement of paragraph 6.2.1.2 above, exposed machinery and electrical
installation and appliances shall function at the polar service temperature;
.2 in order to comply with the functional
requirement of paragraph 6.2.1.2.1 above, means shall be provided to ensure
that combustion air for internal combustion engines driving essential machinery
is maintained at a temperature in compliance with the criteria provided by the
engine manufacturer; and
.3 in order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 6.2.1.2.2 above, materials of exposed machinery and
foundations shall be approved by the Administration, or a recognized
organization accepted by it, taking into account standards acceptable to the
Organization10,11 or other standards offering an equivalent level of
safety based on the polar service temperature.
___________________________
10 Refer to Polar Class 1–5
of IACS URI Requirements concerning Polar Class (2011).
11 Refer to Polar Class 6–7
of IACS URI Requirements concerning Polar Class (2011).
6.3.3 In addition, for ships ice strengthened in accordance
with chapter 3, in order to comply with the functional requirements of
paragraph 6.2.1.3 above, the following apply:
.1 scantlings of propeller blades, propulsion
line, steering equipment and other appendages of category A ships shall be
approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization accepted by it,
taking into account standards acceptable to the Organization10or other
standards offering an equivalent level of safety;
.2 scantlings of propeller blades, propulsion
line, steering equipment and other appendages of category B ships shall be
approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization accepted by it,
taking into account standards acceptable to the Organization11 or other
standards offering an equivalent level of safety; and
.3 scantlings of propeller blades, propulsion
line, steering equipment and other appendages of ice-strengthened category C
ships shall be approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization
accepted by it, taking into account acceptable standards adequate with the ice
types and concentration encountered in the area of operation.
CHAPTER 7 – FIRE
SAFETY/PROTECTION
7.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is
to ensure that fire safety systems and appliances are effective and operable,
and that means of escape remain available so that persons on board can safely
and swiftly escape to the lifeboat and liferaft embarkation deck under the
expected environmental conditions.
7.2 Functional requirements
7.2.1 In order to achieve the goal set out in
paragraph 7.1 above, the following functional requirements are embodied in the
regulations of this chapter:
.1 all components of fire safety systems and
appliances if installed in exposed positions shall be protected from ice
accretion and snow accumulation;
.2 local equipment and machinery controls shall
be arranged so as to avoid freezing, snow accumulation and ice accretion and
their location to remain accessible at all time;
.3 the design of fire safety systems and
appliances shall take into consideration the need for persons to wear bulky and
cumbersome cold weather gear, where appropriate;
.4 means shall be provided to remove or prevent
ice and snow accretion from accesses; and
.5 extinguishing media shall be suitable for
intended operation.
7.2.2 In addition, for ships intended to operate in
low air temperature, the following apply:
.1 all components of fire safety systems and
appliances shall be designed to ensure availability and effectiveness under the
polar service temperature; and
.2 materials used in exposed fire safety systems
shall be suitable for operation at the polar service temperature.
7.3 Regulations
7.3.1 In order to comply with the requirement of
paragraph 7.2.1.1, the following apply:
.1 isolating and pressure/vacuum valves in
exposed locations are to be protected from ice accretion and remain accessible
at all time; and
.2 all two-way portable radio communication
equipment shall be operable at the polar service temperature.
7.3.2 In order to comply with the requirement of
paragraph 7.2.1.2, the following apply:
.1 fire pumps including emergency fire pumps,
water mist and water spray pumps shall be located in compartments maintained
above freezing;
.2 the fire main is to be arranged so that exposed
sections can be isolated and means of draining of exposed sections shall be
provided. Fire hoses and nozzles need not be connected to the fire main at all
times, and may be stored in protected locations near the hydrants;
.3 firefighter's outfits shall be stored in warm
locations on the ship; and
.4 where fixed water-based firefighting systems
are located in a space separate from the main fire pumps and use their own
independent sea suction, this sea suction is to be also capable of being cleared
of ice accumulation.
7.3.3 In addition, for ships intended to operate in
low air temperature, the following apply:
.1 In order to comply with the requirement of
paragraph 7.2.2.1, portable and semi-portable extinguishers shall be located in
positions protected from freezing temperatures, as far as practical. Locations
subject to freezing are to be provided with extinguishers capable of operation
under the polar service temperature.
.2 In order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 7.2.2.2 above, materials of exposed fire safety
systems shall be approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization
accepted by it, taking into account standards acceptable to the Organization12
or other standards offering an equivalent level of safety based on the polar
service temperature.
____________________________
12 Refer to IACS UR S6 Use of
Steel Grades for Various Hull Members – Ships of 90 m in Length and Above
(2013) or IACS URI Requirements concerning Polar Class (2011).
CHAPTER 8 – LIFE-SAVING
APPLIANCES AND ARRANGEMENTS
8.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is to provide
for safe escape, evacuation and survival.
8.2 Functional
requirements
In order to achieve the goal set out in
paragraph 8.1 above, the following functional requirements are embodied in the
regulations of this chapter:
8.2.1
Escape
8.2.1.1 Exposed
escape routes shall remain accessible and safe, taking into consideration the
potential icing of structures and snow accumulation.
8.2.1.2 Survival
craft and muster and embarkation arrangements shall provide safe abandonment of
ship, taking into consideration the possible adverse environmental conditions
during an emergency.
8.2.2
Evacuation
All life-saving appliances and
associated equipment shall provide safe evacuation and be functional under the
possible adverse environmental conditions during the maximum expected time of
rescue.
8.2.3
Survival
8.2.3.1 Adequate
thermal protection shall be provided for all persons on board, taking into
account the intended voyage, the anticipated weather conditions (cold and
wind), and the potential for immersion in polar water, where applicable.
8.2.3.2 Life-saving
appliances and associated equipment shall take account of the potential of operation
in long periods of darkness, taking into consideration the intended voyage.
8.2.3.3 Taking
into account the presence of any hazards, as identified in the assessment in
chapter 1, resources shall be provided to support survival following abandoning
ship, whether to the water, to ice or to land, for the maximum expected time of
rescue. These resources shall provide:
.1 a habitable environment;
.2 protection of persons from the effects of
cold, wind and sun;
.3 space to accommodate persons equipped with
thermal protection adequate for the environment;
.4 means to provide sustenance;
.5 safe access and exit points; and
.6 means to communicate with rescue assets.
8.3 Regulations
8.3.1
Escape
In order to comply with the functional requirements
of paragraphs 8.2.1.1 and 8.2.1.2 above, the following apply:
.1 for ships exposed to ice accretion, means
shall be provided to remove or prevent ice and snow accretion from escape
routes, muster stations, embarkation areas, survival craft, its launching
appliances and access to survival craft;
.2 in addition, for ships constructed on or
after 1 January 2017, exposed escape routes shall be arranged so as not to
hinder passage by persons wearing suitable polar clothing; and
.3 in addition, for ships intended to operate in
low air temperatures, adequacy of embarkation arrangements shall be assessed,
having full regard to any effect of persons wearing additional polar clothing.
8.3.2
Evacuation
In order to comply with the functional
requirement of paragraph 8.2.2 above, the following apply:
.1 ships shall have means to ensure safe
evacuation of persons, including safe deployment of survival equipment, when
operating in ice-covered waters, or directly onto the ice, as applicable; and
.2 where the regulations of this chapter are
achieved by means of adding devices requiring a source of power, this source
shall be able to operate independently of the ship's main source of power.
8.3.3
Survival
8.3.3.1 In
order to comply with the functional requirement of paragraph 8.2.3.1 above, the
following apply:
.1 for passenger ships, a proper sized immersion
suit or a thermal protective aid shall be provided for each person on board;
and
.2 where immersion suits are required, they
shall be of the insulated type.
8.3.3.2 In addition, for ships intended to
operate in extended periods of darkness, in order to comply with the functional
requirements of paragraph 8.2.3.2 above, searchlights suitable for continuous
use to facilitate identification of ice shall be provided for each lifeboat.
8.3.3.3 In order to comply with the
functional requirement of paragraph 8.2.3.3 above, the following apply:
.1 no lifeboat shall be of any type other than
partially or totally enclosed type;
.2 taking into account the assessment referred
to in chapter 1, appropriate survival resources, which address both individual
(personal survival equipment) and shared (group survival equipment) needs,
shall be provided, as follows:
.1 life-saving appliances and group survival
equipment that provide effective protection against direct wind chill for all
persons on board;
.2 personal survival equipment in combination
with life-saving appliances or group survival equipment that provide sufficient
thermal insulation to maintain the core temperature of persons; and
.3 personal survival equipment that provide
sufficient protection to prevent frostbite of all extremities; and
.3 in addition, whenever the assessment required
under paragraph 1.5 identifies a potential of abandonment onto ice or land, the
following apply:
.1 group survival equipment shall be carried,
unless an equivalent level of functionality for survival is provided by the
ship's normal life-saving appliances;
.2 when required, personal and group survival
equipment sufficient for 110% of the persons on board shall be stowed in easily
accessible locations, as close as practical to the muster or embarkation
stations;
.3 containers for group survival equipment shall
be designed to be easily movable over the ice and be floatable;
.4 whenever the assessment identifies the need
to carry personal and group survival equipment, means shall be identified of
ensuring that this equipment is accessible following abandonment;
.5 if carried in addition to persons, in the
survival craft, the survival craft and launching appliances shall have
sufficient capacity to accommodate the additional equipment;
.6 passengers shall be instructed in the use of
the personal survival equipment and the action to take in an emergency; and
.7 the crew shall be trained in the use of the
personal survival equipment and group survival equipment.
8.3.3.4 In order to comply with the
functional requirement of paragraph 8.2.3.3.4 above, adequate emergency rations
shall be provided, for the maximum expected time of rescue.
CHAPTER 9 – SAFETY OF
NAVIGATION
9.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is
to provide for safe navigation.
9.2 Functional requirements
In order to achieve the goal set out in
paragraph 9.1 above, the following functional requirements are embodied in the
regulations of this chapter.
9.2.1
Nautical information
Ships shall have the ability
to receive up-to-date information including ice information for safe
navigation.
9.2.2
Navigational equipment functionality
9.2.2.1 The navigational equipment and
systems shall be designed, constructed, and installed to retain their
functionality under the expected environmental conditions in the area of
operation.
9.2.2.2 Systems for providing reference
headings and position fixing shall be suitable for the intended areas.
9.2.3
Additional navigational equipment
9.2.3.1 Ships shall have the ability to
visually detect ice when operating in darkness.
9.2.3.2 Ships involved in operations with an
icebreaker escort shall have suitable means to indicate when the ship is
stopped.
9.3 Regulations
9.3.1
Nautical information
In order to comply with the functional
requirement of paragraph 9.2.1 above, ships shall have means of receiving and
displaying current information on ice conditions in the area of operation.