Definitions & Key Terms

Before we continue, we will discuss some definitions and key terms regarding shipping and the polar regions.

Fast ice - sea ice that forms and remains fast along the coast, where it is attached to the shore, an ice wall, an ice front, between shoals or grounded icebergs.

Habitable environment - an environment that both protects against hypothermia and is ventilated.

Hydrography - the science of surveying and charting bodies of water.

Ice accretion - the process in which a layer of ice builds up on a solid object that is exposed to freezing precipitation.

Ice-free waters - environments where absolutely no ice is present. If any ice exists, this term may not be used.

Icebreaker - a ship operating in an escort or ice management role and whose powering and dimensions allow it to undertake aggressive operations in ice covered waters.

Ice shelf - a thick, floating ice sheet that shows 2 to 50 m or more above sea level while still being attached to the coast.

Maximum expected time of rescue - the amount of time, not less than five days, that is adopted for the design of equipment and systems that provide survival support.

Upper ice waterline - the waterline that is defined by the max draughts forward and aft during operation in ice.

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