Research on Special Measures of Safe Abandonment of a Ship in Polar Waters

Abstract

Ice melting in polar waters caused by global warming has been making it practicable for merchant ships to sail in polar area. Sailing distances from Far-east to West of Europe and East of North America are shortened by around 30% by selecting polar routes, therefore, polar routes are considered as the golden routes. However, polar water has its unique risks for ships sailing in the areas. Those unique risks may cause adverse impacts to the survival of seafarers in case of emergencies. To ensure the safe abandonment of a ship in polar waters, this paper analyzes and summarizes the potential risks associated with polar shipping with respect to safe escape, evacuation and survival for seafarers in case of emergencies. Based on the analysis of unique potential hazards and inquiry with experts and seafarers who have experiences in polar ship operation and management, this paper provides practical measures to safeguard crew's escape, evacuation and survival in extreme polar circumstances when abandoning a ship. The requirements as to Life Saving Appliances and Arrangements in Polar Code are also interpreted in this paper, and those practical measures provided will help the ship owners, ship operators, and ship masters and seafarers to better understand and comply with the requirements of the Polar Code.