Accessibility Icon
Search icon.Shopping cart icon.
Catalog > IMO > Polar Code

Polar Code

Arctic and Antarctic Waters Shipping

Online Training Certification Course

From the highest rated and most trusted online training company - since 2008.

The inhospitable conditions demand that sailors receive specialized survival and safety training. Also, niche HAZMAT training is beneficial when transporting hazardous materials in extreme environments. This online training course teaches sailors how to survive the elements and provides a specialized HAZMAT certification for ecologically sensitive polar regions.

Unprecedented year-round access to arctic maritime routes has brought in extraordinary numbers of personnel and cargo shipments. Likewise, increased tourism and research in remote areas like Antarctica means more people are shipping dangerous goods in the polar regions than ever before.

This course is for:
Polar Code training is required for all masters, chief mates, and deck officers in charge of a navigational watch on board ships operating in polar waters. These maritime professionals must understand the unique challenges of navigating the unforgiving waters near the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.

This course is intended for use by Chief and training personnel to educate ship crew.

Case Study: In August of 2018, the Anahita, an 11-meter sailboat, attempted to traverse the Northwest Passage. An official warning had gone out days before regarding the dangerous ice conditions in the area, and a clear path through the passage was not open. The men of the Anahita deliberately decided to ignore the warning issued and attempt the crossing as an adventure.

While sailing through the Bellot Strait, the ship became caught between two pieces of drift ice and was crushed, causing it to leak, then subsequently sink. The two Argentinians sailing the boat were able to activate an emergency beacon prior to having to abandon the ship and seek shelter on an ice floe. The men had the necessary water, food, warm clothing, and a life raft needed to survive.

The Canadian Coast Guard was able to rescue the men via helicopter.

Key Takeaways: It is always important to heed the warnings issued. By not doing so, these men put themselves at risk as well as search and rescue resources.

Available languages: 100+ languages - translation provided by Google Translate (Select Language bottom of page)

Take This Course
$59.95 per student
(1-3)
$56.95 per student
(4-7)
$54.10 per student
(8-12)
$51.40 per student
(13-20)
$48.80 per student
(21+)

Payment Methods Accepted

Need to use a Purchase Order?
Contact Us

Need a SCORM version?
Contact Us

All of our courses are:

  • Up to date
  • Fast
  • Easy To Use
  • Immediate Access
  • Anywhere Anytime
  • All Devices
  • Audio
  • Case Studies
  • Self-check Questions
  • Printable certificate and wallet card awarded upon successful completion

Governing Regulations

The Polar Code was developed to address issues specific to the remote areas and harsh climates of the two poles. These conditions make for vulnerable vessels, at a time when forecasts indicate that polar shipping is expected to increase. In order to best protect polar environments, ships, and their crews, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has refined regulations in respect to the unique risks undertaken by vessels traversing the Arctic and Antarctic waters.

The main regulation governing sea operations in and near the Arctic and Southern Oceans is the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code). Polar Code adherence is required under both the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). This Polar Code certification meets the requirements of Polar Code Chapter 12.

If you don't already have a copy, you'll need to purchase the IMO Polar Code both for reference purposes in your day to day shipping operations, and while taking this course.

What You'll Learn

    About This Course
    Introduction to Polar Code
  • Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
  • MARPOL
  • Definitions and Key Terms
  • Polar Regions: The Arctic and the Antarctic
  • Ice Age by Measurement
  • Ship Categories
  • Polar Class
  • Polar Hazards
    General Requirements of the Polar Code
  • Polar Ship Certificate
  • The Record of Equipment for the Polar Ship Certificate
  • Standards
  • Operational Assessments
    Polar Water Operations Manual
  • Polar Water Operations Manual Sample from the IMO
  • Operational Capabilities and Limitations
  • Operation in Ice
  • Operation in Low Air Temperatures
  • Communication and Navigation Capabilities in High Latitudes
  • Voyage Duration
    PWOM Ship Operations
  • Strategic Planning
  • Arrangements for Receiving Forecasts of Environmental Conditions
  • Verification of Hydrographic, Meteorological, and Navigational Information
  • Operation of Special Equipment
  • Procedures to Maintain Equipment and System Functionality
    Risk Management
  • Risk Mitigation in Limiting Environmental Condition
  • Emergency Response
  • Coordination with Emergency Response Services
  • Integrity in the Event of Prolonged Entrapment by Ice
    Joint Operations
  • Navigating with Icebreaker Assistance
  • Ship Structure
  • Ship Stability
  • Stability in Intact Conditions
  • Stability in Damaged Conditions
  • Watertight and Weathertight
  • Machinery
  • Fire Safety and Protection
    Survival Regulation
  • Escape
  • Evacuation
  • Survival
  • Survival Basics
  • Working in Cold Environments
  • How the Body Maintains Internal Temperature
  • How the Body Reacts to Cold Conditions
  • Contributing Factors
  • Cold Stress Illnesses and Injuries
  • Stages of Hypothermia
  • Moderate Hypothermia
  • Severe Hypothermia
  • Hypothermia First Aid Treatment
  • Frostbite
  • Chilblains
  • Engineering Controls
  • Work Practice Controls
  • Personal Survival Equipment and Use
  • Immersion Suits
  • Group Survival Equipment and Use
    Communication
  • Requirements and Regulations for Ship Communications
  • Requirements and Regulations for Survival Craft and Rescue Boat Communications Capabilities
    Employer and Employee Responsibilities
  • Training
  • Voyage Planning
    Pollution in the Polar Regions
  • Prevention of Pollution
  • Oil and Oily Water
  • Oil Related Structural Requirements for Category A and Category B Ships
  • Noxious Liquid Substances
  • Categories of Noxious Liquid Substances
  • Sewage
  • Garbage in the Arctic
  • Garbage in the Antarctic
    Summary
    Final Exam

It will take a MINIMUM of 2 hours to complete this online course. The student may log on and off as needed. A bookmark will be set so when they log back in they will return to where they left off.

We have no restrictions on how long a person takes to complete a course. Likewise, if you are purchasing for others, we have no time limit on assigning courses, so you can purchase a larger quantity than you currently need and take advantage of volume discounts.

This Polar Code course provides an online certification that meets the proficiency and recurrency requirements under Chapter 12. Masters, chief mates, and officers in charge of the navigational watch should receive retraining at intervals not to exceed five years.

Courses purchased through selected UK partners\third parties have a 14 day refund policy from the day of their purchase, providing the learner has not accessed / logged into their course(s).

Each student will receive 0.2 CEUs (or 2 CMEs) from Compliance Training Online® for completing this course.

Stephen G Verified
Polar Code

I enjoyed the course. Perhaps some more visuals in the presentation.

Conley S Verified
Polar Code

I thought this course was informative. Would recommend to my friends.

THE BEST ONLINE TRAINING EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE

Fast

Your time is valuable. We've designed our site to be as fast as possible.

Easy to use

You'll never get lost or confused with us.

Immediate Access

There's no waiting period. Begin the course as soon as you sign up.

Anywhere Anytime

Internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Up to date

We update our courses as soon as new regulations come out.