P-2.1 The Guidelines aim to promote the safety
of navigation and to prevent pollution from ship operations in polar
waters.
P-2.2 The Guidelines recognize that this is best
achieved by an integrated approach, based on requirements in existing
Conventions which cover the design, outfitting, crewing and operation
of ships for the conditions which they will encounter.
P-2.3 The Guidelines take into account that Arctic
and Antarctic conditions may include sea and glacial ice that can
represent a serious structural hazard to all ships. This is the single
most significant factor in Arctic and Antarctic operations and is
reflected in many of the Guidelines’ provisions.
P-2.4 The Guidelines address the fact that the
polar environment imposes additional demands on ship systems, including
navigation, communications, life-saving, main and auxiliary machinery,
environmental protection and damage control, etc. They emphasize the
need to ensure that all ship systems are capable of functioning effectively
under anticipated operating conditions and provide adequate levels
of safety in accident and emergency situations.footnote
P-2.5 In addition, the Guidelines recognize that
safe operation in such conditions requires specific attention to human
factors including training and operational procedures.
P-2.6 The basic requirements for structure, stability
and subdivision, machinery, life-saving appliances, fire protection,
ship routing, navigation systems and equipment, radio communication,
pollution prevention equipment, liability and safety management systems,
as applicable to the different types and sizes of ships which may
undertake voyages in polar waters, are obtained from the relevant
Conventions.
P-2.7 The standards expressed in the Guidelines
have been developed to mitigate the additional risk imposed on shipping
due to the harsh environmental and climatic conditions existing in
polar waters. The Guidelines should be applied taking into account
the nature of the operations that are envisaged.
P-2.8 Not all ships which enter the Arctic and
Antarctic environment will be able to navigate safely in all areas
at all times of the year. A system of Polar Classes has therefore
been developed to designate different levels of capability. In parallel
to the development of the Guidelines, the International Association
of Classification Societies (IACS) has developed a set of Unified
Requirements which, in addition to general classification society
rules, address essential aspects of construction for ships of Polar
Class.
P-2.9 The Guidelines are not intended to infringe
on national systems of shipping control.
P-2.10 The Guidelines, recognizing the sensitive
nature of polar waters, have the intention of providing high standards
of environmental protection to address both accidents and normal operations.