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 unsurvey and uncharted areas.

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.

Definitions
For the purpose of this Code, the terms used have the meanings
defined in the following paragraphs.

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 m.

2.5 Ice free waters mean no ice present. If ice of any kind is present
this term shall not be used.

2.6 Ice of land origin means ice formed on land or in an ice shelf,
found floating in water.
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

thickness.

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 ice.

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 present.

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 water.

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 Watch keeping for Seafarers,
1978, as amended.

2.15 Thin first-year ice means first-year ice 30 cm to 70 cm thick.

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.

SAFETY MEASURES

CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL

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 available.

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.

CHAPTER 2 – POLAR WATER OPERATIONAL MANUAL (PWOM)

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 voyages 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 hydro graphic,

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.

CHAPTER 3 – SHIP STRUCTURE

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.

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 Organization 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 Organization 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

CHAPTER 6 – MACHINERY INSTALLATIONS

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

.3 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.

CHAPTER 7 – FIRE SAFETY/PROTECTION

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 fire-fighter’s outfits shall be stored in warm locations on the ship;

and

.4 Where fixed water-based fire fighting 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.

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 protections of persons from the effects of cold, wind and sun;

.3 spaces 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.

8.3.2 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.