Cold injury on Arctic + North Atlantic routes

Frostbite, immersion foot, and hypothermia are the winter parallels to engine-room heat stress. Arctic routes + North Atlantic winter passages demand specific PPE + drill practice.

Ice-class + Arctic-transit vessels operate in ambient temperatures routinely below -20°C, with wind chill often below -40°C. Cold injuries progress rapidly: frostbite in exposed skin within 10-15 minutes at -20°C wind chill; hypothermia within 30 minutes of immersion in Arctic water without a survival suit. The Polar Code (Chapter 12 + Chapter 13) covers ice-class-specific safety training + PPE requirements.

Practical steps

• Full-face balaclava + ski goggles for any deck work below -15°C wind chill — the Master should mandate.
• Layered clothing system (base + mid + shell); avoid cotton next to skin (retains sweat + freezes).
• Chemical hand-warmers + heated gloves for extended deck watches.
• Never remove gloves to handle metal — bare hands stick to freezing metal + skin tears off.
• Survival suits (SOLAS III/32) MUST be tested for size fit before Arctic voyages.

When to escalate

• White or grey patches on exposed skin (nose, cheeks, ears, fingers) — frostnip; warm gently, do not rub.
• Waxy blister-forming skin — frostbite; medical evaluation shore-side likely.
• Persistent shivering, confusion, slurred speech — hypothermia; TMAS consultation, warm rewarming, MEDEVAC likely if severe.

Last verified 3 months ago