Maritime regulators are working to establish international standards for safe travel in Arctic and Antarctic waters. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is leading the charge to develop and implement the Polar Code. These regulations eventually will serve as a mandatory, international code for all vessels operating in polar waters.Polar Code: Why the need for an international code? In implementing the Polar Code, the IMO seeks to provide a standardized means to address all safety...

Freefall lifeboats offer the quickest way for maritime workers or passengers to escape a platform or vessel in the event of an emergency, such as an onboard explosion or fire. Such boats are designed for use with a release system that ensures a swift escape, even from relatively high elevations. The enclosed design protects those aboard at the point of contact with water.The nature of such boats demands a high set of safety standards. As such, freefall lifeboats are subject to a number of...

The U.S. Coast Guard requires that offshore oil vessels follow rigorous regulations to ensure the safety of people and the environment. The intricacy of USCG regulations for oil vessels is beyond the scope of the article, but reviewing some of the main areas of regulation can help you get a good idea of the enormity of rules that vessel owners are expected to uphold.Environmental RegulationsGiven the unique environmental threat of oil spills, the USCG has special rules and standards by which...

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, small passenger ships weighing less than 100 gross tons that operate on the navigable waters of the U.S. will be inspected for safety.Operating Safe Small Passenger VesselsThe USCG aims to create and enforce standards for small vessels to ensure safe operations. In its Passenger Vessel Safety Program description, the Coast Guard discusses the key components of safety regulations of which owners and operators should be aware: Training – All vessel personnel are...