Safe Artic Technologies Inc (SATI) and SuperyachtGLOBAL have announced a new sponsor for their training courses for Polar Code compliance: Damen SeaXplorer. The Polar Code – enforced as of 1 January this year – outlines that all vessels above 500GT that enter polar waters need to be compliant. From 1 July 2018, all officers in charge of navigational watch within polar waters must be Polar Code certified.

Speaking to SuperyachtNews, Christoph Schaefer, founder of SuperyachtGLOBAL, explains why he feels the courses are necessary for the industry. “During my two cruises to the frozen world, the need for further training became apparent. With the Polar Code coming into force, the perfect opportunity arose to look for a training partner, whom I found in the person of Thomas Andersson of SATI.”

SATI is a leading organisation for cold environment research, training and development. Schaefer explains that they bring a huge amount of experience from working in these conditions from the offshore market. “Not only do they have access to superbly qualified Master Mariners that have been running ice breakers and ice-classed cargo ships in the Arctic, but also all the logistical support, detailed weather routing, the procedures they needed to develop for ice management in complex operations such as offshore oil exploration, drilling and cable laying.”

Working with Damen SeaXplorer was an obvious choice for SuperyachtGLOBAL. “No other yard has had as many yachts in polar waters as Amels,” explains Schaefer. “With their development of the SeaXplorer range, the Damen Group now have a superbly capable yacht for polar water cruising. I could not think of a better yacht to take into polar waters than an Amels, and it will be exciting to see what they will deliver with the SeaXplorer, as their Limited Edition yachts are so capable and already of such superb quality. I am positive that the SeaXplorer will raise the bar for explorer yacht construction considerably.” Schaefer worked as captain aboard M/Y Kamalaya for five years, being hired as build captain for the project in 2012.

According to Schaefer, the Polar Code represents a growth in superyacht owners wishing to venture outside of the more common yachting areas.  “We are seeing more owners interested in cruising to more exotic destinations and the Polar Code will help ensure that they have a great experience and return safely to tell of their adventures.”

The third Polar Code training course for yacht crew will be held in Fort Lauderdale from 9 to 12 April 2018. “The Polar Code is yet another code that greatly improves the safety of our industry. It makes the yards, the owners and the crew aware of what is required and what needs to be considered when taking a yacht to the frozen world,” Schaefer concludes.

Don't miss the next issue of The Crew Report, where we explore the realities for crew who visit the polar regions. To make sure you receive an issue on your yacht, click here.

Image courtesy of SuperyachtGLOBAL

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