The Polar Code – Ship Safety and Environmental Protection in Arctic and Antarctic Waters
Excerpt:
Historically, and to the present day, the polar regions have attracted intrepid explorers, travellers and commercial interests seeking fame, fortune, or the experience of the unique environments of
the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The challenges and dangers of polar travel are evidenced by the many failed historical expeditions such as the Franklin Expedition. More recently, the navigation of polar waters continues to be challenging as evidenced by the groundings in the Arctic of the Clipper Adventurer in 2010 and the Akademik Ioffe in 2018, and the sinking of the MS Explorer in 2017 in the Antarctic. These incidents are stark reminders that navigation in polar waters can be hazardous.