Section 2 Ice Environment

2.1.1 This Section is intended to give assistance on the selection of a suitable ice class notation for the operation of units in ice-covered regions.

2.1.2 The Owner is to confirm which notation is most suitable for their requirements. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with the Operator of the unit and their assessment of the ice and temperature conditions at the time.

2.1.3 The documentation supplied to the unit is to contain the ice class notation adopted, any operation limits for the unit and guidance on the type of ice that can be navigated for the nominated ice class.

2.3.1 The variable nature of ice conditions is such that the average limits of the conditions are not easily defined. However, it is possible to plot the probable limits of the ice floes and the ice edge for each season. See Figure 6.2.1 Ice Limits for the Arctic Winter to Figure 6.2.4 Ice Limits for the Antarctic Summer and Table 6.2.3 Concentration of ice.

2.3.2 Operation withIce Class 1C FS may be possible up to 150 nm inside the 7/10 region shown depending on the severity of the winter. Operation with Ice Class 1A FS may be possible up to 150 nm inside the medium first-year ice shown depending on the severity of the winter. Operation up to the multi-year ice is possible most years with Ice Class 1AS FS.

2.3.3 Operation in the region between 7/10 and 1/10 in the ice-covered regions is possible with due care for units with no ice class. For units operating for extended periods in these areas, it will be necessary to specify and design for a minimum temperature for the hull materials. To cover all situations for non-ice class units, the material requirements of the Rules for the Winterisation of Ships, July 2022 are recommended.

2.4.1 Where the requirements of Pt 8, Ch 2 Ice Operations - Ice Class of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships (hereinafter referred to as the Rules for Ships) are complied with, the unit will be eligible for a special features notation, see also Table 6.1.1 Ice and cold operations.

2.5.1 Certain areas of operation may require compliance or demonstration of equivalence with National Authority requirements. Table 6.2.2 Comparison of ice standards gives the equivalence of National Authority requirements.

2.5.2 The standards of ice strengthening required by the Rules have been accepted by the Finnish and Swedish Boards of Navigation as being such as to warrant assignment of the Ice Classes given in Table 6.2.2 Comparison of ice standards.

2.5.3 Units intending to navigate in the Canadian Arctic must comply with the Canadian Arctic Shipping Pollution Prevention Regulations established by the Consolidated Regulations of Canada, 1978, Chapter 353, in respect of which Lloyd’s Register is authorised to issue Arctic Pollution Prevention Certificates.

2.5.4 The Canadian Arctic areas have been divided into zones relative to the severity of the ice conditions experienced and, in addition to geographic boundaries, each zone has seasonal limits affecting the necessary ice class notation required to permit operations at a particular time of year. It is the responsibility of the Owner to determine which notation is most suitable for their requirements.

2.6.1 Charts and images for the current and recent ice conditions in all areas of the world plus information on icebergs can be found from the National Ice Centre on the worldwide web at: www.natice.noaa.gov.

2.6.2 Daily ice information and consultation is available from the Canadian ice service which is part of the Canadian department of the environment. Their website can be found at: www.ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca.