Effectiveness of the Polar Code Training of Cruise Liner Crew for Evacuation in the Arctic and Antarctic

Abstract

In the past decades, we have seen a prolific increase in Polar Cruise Tourism, and thereby, more humans are able to visit the Polar Regions. As a result of this, the IMO implemented the Polar Code in 2017 to better prepare seafarers in polar waters in order to ensure maritime safety. Several researches have been carrying out work, after the Polar Code came into force, to evaluate its realization concerning the harsh climatic conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic. Based on the Polar Code requirements, the crew’s preparedness for evacuation and survival in negative temperatures due to remoteness, is somewhat ambiguous. Also, the use of safety equipment in the polar climate still is in the discussion, whether sufficient or not. This paper investigates the cruise crew’s preparedness for an evacuation in the Arctic and Antarctic, according to the Polar Code. Here, gaps in the existing Polar Code Basic and Advanced Training modules were identified with respect to evacuation needs. Questionnaires and interviews were used as the research method to evaluate the insights of the potential target audiences. The study findings were analyzed and reveal the Polar Code’s ineffectiveness with respect to educating the cruise crew for an evacuation, along with the lack of requirement to passenger survival training. This study recommends specific evacuation training for all the cruise crew members based on the actual needs and, subsequently, the need for improvement in the Polar Code training modules. It also proposes survival training modules for cruise passengers to be developed, for evacuation of a vessel in the Arctic and Antarctic.