IMO International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) entered into force on January 1st, 2017. The Polar Code addresses ship design, construction and equipment, operational and training concerns, search and rescue and the protection of the unique environment of the polar regions. The IMO Polar Code became mandatory as of 1 July 2018.
Simsea offers Polar Operations Training, basic and advanced courses. The training is approved by NMA and is in accordance the Polar Code, STCW Section V/4, table A-V/4-1 and 4-2.
The Basic and Advanced courses are 2 days at course center each in addition to extensive e-learning modules. In addition, Simsea offers the two courses as a combined course of 4-day duration pluss e-learning. Courses are run in English and Norwegian. The courses contain theory based on the polar code text book (Norwegian and English) written by Professor Norvald Kjerstad focusing the following themes: – The challenge of ice, regulations and standards – Polar Environment and ice characteristics – Ship Technology, polar waters and ice navigation – Human safety and performance – Voyage planning, approaching ice and berthing in Ice – Ice breaker assistance and convoy – Risk Assessment, emergency response and S&R.
We have now been running the combined Polar training for some time. This has given us valuable experience and feedback from participants. Based on this we have no decided to do some changes in the learning program and to run the course over four days. Here are the main elements in the learning process:
- Most of of the class room lectures will be delivered as e-learning.
- During the course, the participants will also get lessons from the Polar textbook (by Norvald Kjerstad) which will be handed out at the first day of the course.
- Classroom lecture will be formed more like “table tops” with introduction using videos and pictures from polar operations and active discussions. To build on the participants experience will improve learning!
- Simulator exercises will include a thorough briefing of context and planning based on weather and ice forecast, etc. Each exercise will have a number of challenges and will be concluded with a debriefing session.