DNV’s new standard stresses crew factors of ice navigation

DNV’s new standard represents an important step in developing detailed competence requirements that the maritime industry can use on a global basis. While the IMO has now included a requirement for specially trained and qualified ice navigators in its guidelines for ships operating in Arctic ice-covered waters, they do not provide specifications for the competencies needed to fulfil these roles.
– The standard will assist the maritime industry in training, recruiting and assessing officers who can safely pilot ships through ice. Maritime training centres can use it as a guide for developing courses in ice navigation, which DNV can in turn certify against the standard, said DNV SeaSkill Project Engineer Steven Sawhill.
DNV SeaSkill developed the standard in collaboration with ice navigation experts from around the world, including representatives from all of the Arctic rim countries. The process began in August 2007 with an expert working group session hosted by the Finnish Maritime Authority, followed by additional meetings in Canada in March 2008. DNV circulated drafts of the competence standard among some 95 experts for further review and input before finalizing it for publication in October 2008.
The reasons for the standard are plentiful – not least in the Arctic. The region has entered an exciting era in which climate, political and economic changes are facilitating unprecedented access, fuelling great expectations in the shipping sector. But the area also presents seafarers with unique challenges and potential hazards, including darkness, poorly charted waters, and damage due to ice. The Arctic market opportunity – and risk reality – is driving a need for more ship officers with ice navigation skills.
Indeed, DNV research presented quantifying the value of the most important risk control options for Arctic shipping backs this up. According to a report, the setting of high standards in bridge resource management and the selection and training of crew can reduce the risk of accidents involving collision, grounding, fire and explosion by 44%. This was, by far, the highest single factor for risk reduction in the entire study.
DNV SeaSkill assists the maritime industry in ensuring their people are fit for purpose. It does this by developing standards and by certifying maritime learning programs. Addressing competence means protecting assets, securing future cost reductions and gaining competitive advantage. DNV SeaSkill standards of competence provide a relevant reference point for the maritime industry to measure competence and training.
Ship of the Year with DNV class
The one-of-a-kind ship was not only classed by DNV, but also received the company’s highest Comfort Class ratings for indoor climate and noise and vibration comfort levels.
In addition to being built to the strictest standards – including NMD regulations for mobile offshore units (NMD Redbook) and NORSOK – the vessel has also received the premier class notations from DNV. These comprise Dynpos-Autro (DP class), NAUTAW (bridge system), CLEAN DESIGN (strict environmental class notation) and the highest Comfort Class ratings.
DNV was the first classification society to issue indoor climate comfort standards. Now 250 vessels worldwide have the Comfort Class notation, which helps shipbuilders and owners gauge and deliver conditions that provide for more satisfied passengers, considerably better working conditions for the crew, as well as a generally improved HSE situation on board.
More than 50 per cent of all offshore support contracts signed in 2007 were signed to DNV class. For the complete orderbook almost 40 per cent of all new OSVs are to DNV class. A major part of these vessels are to be completed at Norwegian yards.
After undergoing a systematic evaluation, the Island Wellserver’s full-scale measurements verified its reception of DNV’s highest notations for both the indoor climate (C1) and noise and vibrations (V1) influencing the well-being of crew and passengers.