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proves, the Aurora Borealis [Northern Lights] plays havoc with both satellite communications and traditional MF/HF and VHF. 3. Environment Concerns for the Crew: The land of the midnight sun is exciting for the visitor, but standing watch and not being able to get sleep because “the lights are on” will make a four-day transit feel like weeks. The physical and psychological effects of lack of sleep are well documented. Add to the lack of sleep the stress of transit- ing an unfamiliar area using a style of navigation that is not used frequently, and the potential for mishap rises quickly.

4. Survival: Another environmental consideration deals with survival after the worst has happened. Even though all ships operating in the Arctic are required to have immersion suits and life board in accordance with the IMO Polar code, the reality is the water temperature is still near freezing, meaning a mariner in an immersion suit will succumb to hypothermia in hours, while in a life boat or a raft they may survive days, possibly weeks. There are many small indig- enous villages that are in the Arctic circle, but they won’t be of beneft to the mariner unless they are lucky enough to get there pushed by the currents and tides. The search and rescue infrastructure in the Arctic is currently nonexistent.

Big picture, longer term, the deicing of the Arctic Ocean and the use of the Northwest passage will be a huge beneft in trade, organizations like the Arctic Council will protect the area while promoting its use. Before it becomes truly viable several issues will need to be addressed and invested in: 1. Increasing the satellite infrastructure allowing uninterrupted, coverage for navigation and communications; 2. A mandatory navigation training or setting up a pilotage program; 3. Search and rescue coverage

I look forward to seeing how this natural asset is used and protected.

NOTE: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Merchant Marine

Academy, the Maritime Administration, the Department of Transpor- tation or the United States government.

The Author

Rock

Jamie Rock is currently an Associate Professor at the US Merchant Marine Academy and a reservist with the US Navy currently assigned to 2nd Fleet.

He holds a Master Unlimited tonnage, Oceans li- cense with 20 years of sailing experience.

Footnotes: 1. https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/meetings/juneau-2018/reference-materials/ arctic-nautical-charting-plan%202016.pdf 2. https://castnav.com/gnss-ins-simulations-of-high-latitude-operations/