IHO Comments on IMO Polar Code

IMO started work on a Polar Code in 2010, initiated by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in 2009 and led by a Correspondence Group chaired by Norway. Having seen a draft version of the Code, which elaborates on international safety aspects for ships operating in the Arctic and Antarctic, the IHO believes that it needs to pay more attention to hydrographic aspects.

Especially the consequences of poor hydrography should be receiving more emphasis in the IMO Polar Code, says the IHO, since there may be a higher risk of groundings. At the same time, access to search and rescue services may be limited.

The IHO was able to submit additional comments to the draft text of the CG report highlighting hydrographic and security issues, as the areas are less well charted, and the conditions of hydrography are generally poor due to ice coverage. This leads to areas which have not been surveyed recently, if at all, making the chart coverage inadequate for coastal navigation. Navigators should keep to charted areas, and avoid known shoal depths. Cross-checking of positioning information is advised at all times. Also, mariners are to report additional and relevant information to the charting authorities in order to facilitate improving nautival charts and publications.

The Polar Code should be implemented in 2014. Further discussions about the contents of the Code are ongoing.