Ice Seamanship (navigating in ice area)

To ensure ship safety when she is navigating in ice area. The Master is responsible for the implementation of this instruction and ensuring ship safe navigation.

Allocation of Ice areas and sailing preparation work.

1. Ice areas mainly include North Atlantic, Kap Farvel, Saint Lawrence River in Canada, Great Lakes, New Finland, Denmark, Norway, former Soviet Union, Bering sea, North Sea, South Poland nearby waters seldom visited by merchant ships.  Detailed information can be found in relevant 《The Mariner’s Handbook》
2. When Chartered-out ship is required to sail in Ice area, permission of the Company should be obtained before entering such area.  Master should be aware of whether ship has reinforced structure for sailing in Ice area.
3. Ice warnings and report should be listened to and received before ship enters Ice area, close monitoring should be maintained of the movements of Icebergs.  High vigilance be kept and proper actions be taken to keep ship far away from Iceberg area.  Speed log should be taken back, blocking blanket, wood, quick-dry-cement, stuffing provisions and other stuffing materials should be checked before ship enters into Ice area.

Issues deserving attention.  

Issues that deserve attention. when sailing in an icy area so that the voyage remains safe

1. Attention should be given to the impact of Ice over speed and maneuverability.  Approaching ships should be kept clear as early as possible; extreme caution is required when ship is navigating in narrow channel.
2. Ship hull, rudder and propeller may easily be damaged when sails in Ice area, therefore ship should be carefully maneuvered and astern engine should, as far as possible, be avoided.  Aft draft should endeavor to be increased when ship sails in ballast or carries few cargoes so as to keep propeller and rudder completely immersed in water.
3. When ship sails in Ice area, vigilance should be maintained to avoid accident because of sea chest being blocked by crushed Ice, particularly when ship sails in ballast or carries few cargoes, lower level sea chest must be used and necessary preventive measures should taken (ship with internal hold cooling circulating system should use hold water circulation).
4. Look-out should be strengthened in order to keep clear of huge floating Ice.  When it is impossible to avoid contact with such Ice, speed should be reduced so as to alleviate the impacting force.
5. Ship should sail in Ice crevasse or on thin Ice to avoid entering into thick Ice area.
6. When it is unavoidable to contact with Ice, ship bow should approach Ice at a right angle and should avoid approaching Ice by an oblique angle which will cause ship bow slipping away and the hull and stern swinging to the edge of Ice, consequently, causing damage to propeller and rudder.
7. Efforts should be given not to let ship hull freeze in Ice.  This is to avoid serious damage to ship hull due to pressure of Ice.
8. If fore part of ship is clamped by Ice and unable to move, following method can be used to get off. 
9. sue full ahead, hard port and starboard to make ship roll and slacken the clamping Ice and then use astern to get out   To use Midship rudder when astern.  Dead slow astern first, and then full astern when Ice becomes loose and be pushed away, to avoid propeller being damaged by heavy Ice impacting.
10. if the above method is ineffective, adjust oil and water to cause ship list port/starboard or raise up/bring down stern to slacken clamping Ice and then astern to get off.
11. Try best not to drop anchor in Ice area.  When this becomes necessary, select area with thinnest Ice to anchor.  Length of anchor chain is recommended no more 2 times of water depth (if anchor chain is too long, it may easily be broken when Ice moves).  Main engine should be on standby and navigation shift should be maintained so that ship may hoist anchor and immediately leave when necessary.

Outside assistance and report  

• If Ice condition is serious and sailing is really difficult, ship may contact nearby port and apply for Ice breaker Pilotage.  When ship is under Ice Breaker Pilotage, proper distance should be maintained, speed change of the Ice Breaker should be closely monitored, proper contact should be maintained and Pilotage Rules should be complied with.
• Port may be contacted for Ice information.
• Ice navigation consultant may be hired to provide Ice information and sailing advice.
• Ice pilot may be hired
• Report of Ice information should be made when ship is sailing in Ice area.