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1 INTRODUCTION

Since the past decades, the Earth’s average

temperature is rising alarmingly. Consequently, the

world has been experiencing global warming in terms

of natural disasters and melting glaciers in the north

and south pole regions of the planet. Sea ice in the

Arctic and Antarctic has been melting dramatically as

observed in the past few years, which raises concerns

regarding survival for many of its inhabitants. Many

researchers are working on measures to reduce the

carbon footprint and stop its impact on climate

change. The approach of the Maritime Industries

towards climate change has both pros and cons in

terms of increased shipping business profit and

increased threat to the unspoiled polar region. Some

consider melting ice in the polar region as an

opportunity for boosting their economy by expanding

their business further in the northern seafront, as there

are reserves of hidden natural resources under the

polar seabed. One of the Industries which benefits

with the ice-free passage in the Arctic and Antarctic,

offering voyages longer periods of the year is the

‘Cruise Industry’. The Cruise Industry has thereby

attracted hundreds of passengers who can afford to

fulfill their bucket-list, by introducing opulent

packages in the unique and mesmerizing polar region.

Effectiveness of the Polar Code Training of Cruise Liner

Crew for Evacuation in the Arctic and Antarctic

M.R. Chaure & O.T. Gudmestad

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Haugesund, Norway

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.

http://www.transnav.eu

the International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 14

Number 4

December 2020

DOI: 10.12716/1001.14.04.17

924

In the past decades, we have seen a prolific

increase in Polar Cruise Tourism and humans are able

to make a mark on charismatic creation.

The increase in cruise traffic, however, adds

increased challenges and risks associated with

maritime safety due to adverse climatic conditions

and thousands of human lives involved. Several

challenges that make sailing at both polar regions

dangerous and unfavorable where passenger safety is

at risk in the remoteness. In particular, unpredictable

weather with sudden changes will lead to detrimental

effects on the usage of Life-Saving Appliances (LSA)

in case of an emergency. The accelerating cruise

industry is planning voyages where a large number of

passengers involved is lacking maritime safety, ‘Are

we prepared for large mass evacuation in an

unforeseen scenario or emergency?’ Some of the past

incidents and near disasters unveil how lack of

preparedness influences maritime safety.

At the advents of Climate Change, IMO

implemented the Polar Code on 1st January 2017 for

ships operating in Polar Waters. The Standards of

Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW)

Chapter V [5] and the Polar Code - Chapter 12

describe the requirements to training, considering the

international convention on the standards of training

and certification of seafarers [2]. According to this,

masters, chief mates, and officers in charge of a

navigational watch in open water must have

certification of Basic and/or Advanced Polar Code

training [2]. IMO Canada provides guidelines for the

Instructors of the course as per the requirements of

the Polar Code [3].

The Polar Code enforcement has led to greater

maritime safety to counteract the challenges with

weather and remoteness; however, the practicality of

the training of the crew regarding evacuation has not

been discussed. This question the effectiveness of the

Polar Code regarding training of crews relating to

evacuation. This paper focuses on the preparedness of

cruise crews for evacuation and survival in relation to

implementation of the Polar Code. In this paper we

study how the Polar Code Basic and Advanced

Training modules offered by various authorized

institutes cover the evacuation training needs and

analyze gaps along with identifying training needs for

passengers.

2 METHOD

To investigate the gap in the existing Polar Code

training, qualitative and quantitative data were

collected using the Interview and Survey -

Questionnaire methodology. The participants were

selected based on a purposive sampling method that

served the purpose of this study. Accordingly, the

respondents identified were among the Crews, the

Training Institutes and the Passengers categories. The

questionnaires were divided into three groups and

distributed among the respective target audiences.

The survey target groups were identified based on

the following factors:

1 Geographical Areas: Arctic and Antarctic (Polar

Regions)

2 Crews experienced in Polar Cruise shipping and

certified with Polar Code Basic or Advanced

Training modules.

3 Passengers experienced with Polar Cruising in the

Arctic or Antarctic.

4 Authorized Training Institutes for Polar Code

Training

Questionnaire (Survey): A total of 16 questions

(both open and close-ended) were formulated for the

individual target groups [6].

Total responses received for the survey were 17

and 4 telephonic interviews were conducted.

The collected data were analyzed based on

Hypothesis Testing. During hypothesis testing, a null

H0 hypothesis and an alternative Ha hypothesis are

proposed. The null hypothesis is proved or

disapproved based on the sample data collected in the

survey, supported by reliable insights from qualitative

interviews.

The hypothesis to prove or disapprove were

formulated as follows:

− Null Hypothesis (H0): Polar Code training of

crews is effective during an evacuation.

− Alternative Hypothesis (Ha): Polar Code training

of crews is not effective during an evacuation.

3 DATA ANALYSIS

The survey questions were categorized to be relevant

for the target groups. The analysis of data collected

was then done; if the response supported the Polar

Code training concerning evacuation, then the

response supported the null hypothesis else favored

the alternative hypothesis.

3.1 Set A

Polar Code training effectiveness with regards to

crews’ competence during evacuation.

The collected data from the survey include the

findings with respect to Polar Code Training

effectiveness in preparing the crews for emergency

evacuation as asked in question - Q1 of the survey

questionnaire to Institutes and Crew target groups.

The total responses from the Crew and Institutes

are 12 [6]. The crews and the training institutes’

responses play a crucial role in evaluating the

effectiveness pertaining to evacuation, because they

are directly involved in the actual Polar Code training.

The crews are the ones who will gain expertise from

the authorized training centers depending on how

institutes have designed and offered that course,

considering its focus being mainly on evacuation

preparedness.

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Figure 1. Statistical Data Analysis for Polar Code Training

[6]

Above data in Figure 1, indicates that more than

66% of training institutes and 50% of crews’ responses

considered the Polar Code not being effective in terms

of evacuation training. This reflects the Polar Code

training effectiveness with respect to crew and

institutes which favors the alternative hypothesis.

Furthermore, Set B, C, and D give support to these

findings, where responses are analyzed based on the

outcomes of the training that is being tested when

crews perform their duties onboard, based on the

target group’s experiences.

3.2 Set B

To identify the competence level of the crew, relevant

(A) questions (Figure 2) were asked in the survey. The

Training Institutes and the Crew target groups were

asked “patterned questions” to find out whether the

training fulfils the actual requirements during an

evacuation, that reflects their real situations.

The questions were phrased such that they will

answer the competence level, where A is

“Applicable”.

Figure 2. Responses of “Patterned Questions” for Crew

Competence Analysis based on Polar Code Training [6]

In the case of the Training Institutes, they were

asked a question relevant to different modes of

training (question 2, Q2); and questions regarding the

assigned hours to cover the evacuation training and

whether the time assigned is sufficient (questions 3 &

4, Q3 & Q4). Consequently, the assessment of the

crews who had participated in the Polar Code training

was analyzed in question 5 (Q5), which would

indicate the crew’s competence in performing the

task. We observed from the institute’s responses that

they do not follow any standardized training method,

and some are lagging assessment considering these

challenges. Also, from the survey responses, it reflects

that the training for evacuation is insufficient to cover

in-depth aspects of the evacuation.

The survey data shown in Figure 2, demonstrates

the relation between the opinions of the institutes and

the answers to the questions when asked to the Crew

group. The crew were asked about how often they

participate in an evacuation drill exercises in question

4 (Q4). The crew were, furthermore, asked about the

improvement in their skills when attending Polar

Code training offered by different institutes in

question 2 (Q2). As shown in the Training institute

responses in Figure 2, evacuation training is missing

real intensity and that is reflected in the responses

from the Crew, wherein the data indicates that Polar

Code training is not helping to improve their skills

pertaining to evacuation.

Set C and D: Furthermore, dependent questions in

Sets C and D were asked to each target group to cover

the opinions about limitations and possible

improvements in the Polar Code training. The

answers demonstrate the challenges and suggested

improvements of Polar Code training concerning

evacuation as shown in Figures 3 & 4. Thus, the

survey questions cover the holistic approach to

identify the gaps in the existing Basic and Advanced

Polar Code training modules.

3.3 Set C

Figure 3. Dependent question – Limitation / Challenges for

Polar Code Training [6]

3.4 Set D

Figure 4. Dependent questions – Improvement Suggestions

for Polar Code Training [6]

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4 STATISTICAL METHOD FOR HYPOTHESIS

TESTING: FISHER’S EXACT TEST

The sample size of the population is small; hence the

Fisher’s Exact Test is used to evaluate whether the

null hypothesis or the alternative hypothesis is valid.

In this test, based on the 2x2 contingency matrix

shown in Table 1, the probability value, the p-value, is

calculated. The significance level (α) of the null

hypothesis is tested as follows [1]:

If the p-value is smaller than 0.05 (α value), then

the null hypothesis is rejected. Thus, the alternative

hypothesis is accepted. This means that a 5% error is

sufficient to decide whether the null hypothesis is

rejected. If the value of p < α, the result is statistically

significant.

Considering this, the p-value calculated using an

online Fisher’s Exact Test Calculator based on ‘yes/no’

responses from the Training Institutes and the Crew

target group (as per Figure 5 and Table 1) is found to

be: Exact two-tailed probability (p): 0.03, thus p < 0.05

[7].

Figure 5. Responses for Polar Code Training based on

questions (Training Institutes Q1, Q4 & Q5, and Crew Q1 &

Q2) [6]

Table 1. Fisher’s Exact Test 2x2 Contingency matrix [7]

This shows that the Probability value (p-value) is

smaller than 0.05 (α value) and hence (according to

the Fisher’s Exact Test), the null hypothesis is rejected.

The alternative hypothesis is accepted, and the result

is statistically significant based on the Fisher’s exact

test [1].

The responses from the crew and training institute

groups favor the alternative hypothesis concerning to

the Polar Code training effectiveness discussed in Set

A. Based on the data analysis with respect to the

questionnaire categorized into patterns (Figure 2) and

Fisher’s Exact test (Table 1), it shows that the null

hypothesis fails, and the alternative hypothesis is

proven. The dependent questions explained in Set B

shows the reasoning, where the pattern result

indicates the crews and training institutes target

groups’ opinions.

Furthermore, the interview comments from

focused target groups validate the finding of the data

analysis from the survey result:

1 Interviewed Crew members mentioned the

inadequacy of Polar Code training, as it doesn’t

provide enough awareness about safety

procedures needed at the time of the evacuation

onto the ice. They highlighted the need for proper

instruction for immersion suits handling, no one

was aware about the Group Survival Kit (the GSK)

and how to use it. They claimed that training

mostly focuses on ice navigation and nothing

about evacuation details. They mentioned that the

cruise management was unaware about Polar

Code’s applicability.

2 The Institutes’ offered training mostly focuses on

ice navigation, communication, etc., with just two

hours of theoretical lessons related to evacuation,

which hardly covers the necessary details as more

practical understanding is required.

3 From the passengers’ safety point of view, the crew

highlighted the need for basic awareness training

for passengers as shown in Set D above. The

interviewed passenger also recommended training

but was unsure how the training should be carried

out. Crew members and Passengers highlighted

the challenges of elderly handling immersion suits.

A document review of the training brochures from

the training institutes highlighted the eligibility

requirement for the Advanced module of Polar Code

training. To be eligible for the Advanced module, one

should have two months of sea-going experience in

polar waters. Also, the Basic and Advanced training

modules mention Crew Preparation as well as

working conditions and safety, but it is uncertain if

two hours of training suffices the actual needs of the

evacuation preparedness.

5 RESULTS

The results from the quantitative and qualitative data

analysis show that the Polar Code Basic and

Advanced training modules are not satisfying the real

needs for evacuation preparation. The gaps in the

existing training modules are identified based on the

hypothesis testing and the alternative hypothesis is

proven. It exhibits that at present; we are not meeting

the real requirements of evacuation needs for harsh

climate, human behavior, and applicability of safety

equipment by the training modules. The cruise liner

management are complying with the functional

requirements of the Polar Code but not what is

needed concerning to cover the real scenarios in the

polar waters.

The gap identified in the existing training modules

from this study should be viewed as a follow-up of

the SARex2 findings [4]. According to the SARex2

exercise, risk analysis findings highlighted the need

for training for both Crews and Passengers in order to

evacuate safely [4]. As mentioned in the SARex2

report by a person representing a Classification

Society, training should not focus only on masters,

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chief mates, and officers in charge of navigation but

also on engineers and first officers who are in addition

to normal duties responsible for evacuation in case of

emergency [4]. Data analysis result and the SARex2

findings [4] call for in-depth training of all the crew,

in particular the designated officers involved in

possible evacuation, along with passenger training.

6 CONCLUSIONS

The Polar Code Basic and the Advanced training

modules for crew training, when considering

evacuation, should not be limited to a theoretical

approach. When the crew members reflect on the

applicability of the learning from the virtual training

into real scenarios, the assessment should confirm the

effectiveness of the Polar Code training in an actual

situation.

These are the findings which need to be taken care

of in order to move forward for better human and

maritime safety concerning crew preparedness for an

evacuation:

− Crew Training should not be limited to masters,

chief mates, and officers in charge of navigational

watch. However, training should go beyond these

groups, by training all the crew members present

at the voyage, to prepare for any unforeseen

situations. Specialized training needs to be

arranged by individual cruise liners to train their

crew members specific on ‘Evacuation’. It will help

crew members to be specific about how to respond

in quickly changeable weather situations in the

Arctic/Antarctic. Cruise management should

effectively plan and develop guidelines and

procedures for the Polar Code training concerning

evacuation.

− It is necessary to develop a survival training

module for cruise passengers concerning use of

safety equipment for muster drill, and awareness

about cold-weather survival. The training needs to

be arranged either by the private institutes who are

responsible for crew training or as mandatory

training when passengers book their trips with

cruise liner companies.

− Training Institutes need to plan in-depth training

concerning evacuation needs, beyond theoretical

lessons. They should focus their training module

considering practical aspects, based on the

changing and harsh climatic conditions, focusing

on real scenarios.

− IMO Polar Code training regarding Basic and

Advanced modules needs to include the actual

requirements during an evacuation. According to

the identified findings for crew preparedness in

this research, the applicability should be related to

Cruise Ships and training guidelines should be

updated. The training should focus on essential

needs that cover practical evacuation skills and

handling of Personal and Group Survival Kits

(PSK & GSK) and Life-Saving Appliances usage.

7 FURTHER WORK

The study concluded with recommending in-depth

training of the entire Crew involved in the muster,

along with additional survival training requirements

for Passengers. Below is a possible scope in terms of

Passenger Training:

− E-training Module

Necessary safety guidelines, procedures, and

equipment awareness should be provided with the

help of a short E-training module that serves the

purpose of evacuation awareness and would

mitigate the risk of misunderstandings due to the

language barriers.

The E-training should cover the usage of PSK and

GSK; how, when, and why these are required.

Also, the training should provide guidelines for

the access to muster stations and do’s and don’ts

with respect to cold climate (Arctic/Antarctic).

Passengers should have an interactive training

module, where they can ask questions if they are

uncertain. This training module should be part of

their trip and should represent a mandatory

requirement to be fulfilled prior to boarding any

expedition cruises to the polar regions. Cruise

liners can collaborate with training institutes to

design a short training module or build such

inhouse with reference to company policy.

− Additional information needed prior to boarding

the cruise.

Cruise line management needs to make sure about

the medical fitness of the passengers; they can ask

for medical fitness certificates before confirming

seats to any of the Polar Expedition Cruises.

Also, it came into notice during the research that

many passengers overlook the actual content in the

cruise liners’ brochures, and they book Cruises

where often no dedicated language assistance is

available. To avoid this, while booking, cruise liner

companies can ask passengers for their language

and plan to assign dedicated Crew to support the

emergency requirements accordingly.

− Safety Leaflet

All the necessary safety procedures/guidelines,

and details of cruise muster stations should be

printed in a Safety Leaflet with an utmost visual

understandable mode in a leaflet form. At the time

of boarding, a crew member should distribute this

safety leaflet to all passengers on board: This

would ensure that all passengers be aware about

possible measures needed to be taken in case of an

emergency evacuation, even if they miss to

remember muster training details.

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