The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters – or Polar Code – is, well, its parent entity the International Maritime Organization (IMO) does a fine descriptive job:

The Polar Code is intended to cover the full range of shipping-related matters relevant to navigation in waters surrounding the two poles – ship design, construction and equipment; operational and training concerns; search and rescue; and, equally important, the protection of the unique environment and eco-systems of the polar regions.

In short, it’s a set of guidelines for seafaring in the Arctic and Antarctic. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) both mandate the Polar Code, which has been in effect since 2017.

Here is a nice simple guide available as a PDF download:

📷 Header image credit: W. Bulach

Stay warm, stay dry 🚢