# Defining "Polar Regions" **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [January 18, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652 "2025-01-18T14:23:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChaplainDarrell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/chaplaindarrell/32/41200_2.png) [@ChaplainDarrell](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ChaplainDarrell)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/1 "2025-01-18T14:23:06Z")
I’m just saying, some of us boomers have sailed the “polar regions” and are well aware of the difficulties and dangers involved. But there is also the definition of “polar region”. IMO, if you are not north of the Bering Straits, you haven’t “gone Polar”. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/2 "2025-01-18T14:56:08Z")
> [@ChaplainDarrell](#): > > you haven’t “gone Polar”. There’s a snowmobile trail near my house where I often walk. In winter I sometimes see an Arctic Cat snowmobile. It never occurred to me that I might have walked too far and was in the Arctic. It’s just a brand name. ---
**Author:** ![texastanker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e4f/32.png) [@texastanker](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/texastanker)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/3 "2025-01-18T15:40:44Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/e/3/e37dc4d7c13f674a6d0cac40649add12a449059c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/4 "2025-01-18T17:10:17Z")
The areas inside the Arctic and Antarctic Circles are by definition “Polar regions”. There are areas south of the Arctic Circle that experience very polar conditions for part of the year, (like Hudson Bay etc.) Likewise there are areas within the Arctic Circle that is rather temperate, even in the winter, thank to the warm water you supply from the “Gulf of America”. (Known as Gulf of Mexico until further notice) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/9/e/9eaae01128344d35d30ad1c1872755471395b961.jpeg) _Located above 66 degrees north, Alaska, Canada, Finland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Russia are all partly above the Arctic Circle._ Source: [How to Get to the Arctic Circle and Traveling to the North Pole | Lindblad Expeditions](https://world.expeditions.com/travel-guide/arctic-travel-guide/how-to-get-to-the-arctic-circle) ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 11:53am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/5 "2025-01-19T11:53:38Z")
> [@ombugge](#): > > The areas inside the Arctic and Antarctic Circles are by definition “Polar regions”. That’s one definition, there are others, this one is from Bowditch. > **polar regions.** The regions near the geographic poles. No definite limit for these regions is recognized. From the same source, a specific usage: > **polar navigation.** Navigation in polar regions, where unique considerations and techniques are applied. No definite limit for these regions is recognized but polar navigation techniques are usually used from about latitude 70°N. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 1:50pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/6 "2025-01-19T13:50:14Z")
> [@Kennebec\_Captain](#): > > > [@ombugge](#): > > > > The areas inside the Arctic and Antarctic Circles are by definition “Polar regions”. > > That’s one definition, there are others, this one is from Bowditch. > > > **polar regions.** The regions near the geographic poles. No definite limit for these regions is recognized. You forgot to quote the next bit of my post: > [@](#): > > There are areas south of the Arctic Circle that experience very polar conditions for part of the year, (like Hudson Bay etc.) > Likewise there are areas within the Arctic Circle that is rather temperate, For a detailed definition of Polar Regions, see here: > **[Arctic - Wildlife, Mammals, Birds | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/place/Arctic/Animal-life)** > > Arctic - Wildlife, Mammals, Birds: Animal life in the Arctic, compared with that of warmer parts, is poor in the number of species but often rich in individual numbers. This is generally considered to be the result of at least two factors: the... > [@](#): > > It has sometimes been used to designate the area within the [Arctic Circle](https://www.britannica.com/place/Arctic-Circle)—a [mathematical](https://www.britannica.com/science/mathematics) line that is drawn at latitude 66°30′ N, marking the southern limit of the zone in which there is at least one annual period of 24 hours during which the sun does not set and one during which it does not rise. This line, however, is without value as a geographic boundary, since it is not keyed to the nature of the [terrain](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/terrain). > > ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/5/5/55c2789ff9a5c1369036282546aeebdee6812169.png) > [subarctic and Arctic regions](https://cdn.britannica.com/60/5860-004-9F989A7D/Division-subarctic-regions-glaciers-Arctic-distribution-permafrost.jpg)Division of subarctic and Arctic regions showing distribution of permafrost and glaciers. PS\> The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed and currently runs **66°33′50.3″ north of the Equator**. Its latitude depends on Earth’s axial tilt, which fluctuates by a margin of some 2° over a 41,000-year period, due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon. Major circles of latitude Arctic Circle (66°33′50.3″ N) Tropic of Cancer (23°26′09.7″ N) Equator (0° latitude) Tropic of Capricorn (23°26′09.7″ S) Antarctic Circle (66°33′50.3″ S) ---
**Author:** ![spowiednick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/spowiednick/32/35668_2.png) [@spowiednick](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/spowiednick)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 10:20am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/7 "2025-01-20T10:20:18Z")
[International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code)](https://www.imo.org/en/ourwork/safety/pages/polar-code.aspx) Damn boomers again cloging 😉 Polar water/area definition is here and on top of this explanation of Polar Code from Class DNV GL perspective. [DNV GL Polar Code 2017.pdf](https://forum.gcaptain.com/uploads/short-url/t2cCjbjtYQVSzTCyF0oWqUhif0a.pdf) (3.6 MB) Leaving other definitions aside (geographical, environmental etc, etc ) I would rather stick to : > [@Kennebec\_Captain](#): > > from Bowditch. > > > **polar regions.** The regions near the geographic poles. No definite limit for these regions is recognized. > [@Kennebec\_Captain](#): > > **polar navigation.** Navigation in polar regions, where unique considerations and techniques are applied. But i may be wrong of course 😉 And for interested connoisseurs and polar buffs the Polar Code in it’s entirety here in my gDrive access with "viewers " rights only : > **[POLAR Code (The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters) 2016...](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lpCCKkVLmCfyGmmCndWM15hC5CRmA-Dg/view?usp=sharing)** > > Google Drive file. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/8 "2025-01-20T12:18:19Z")
The term “region” is inherently ambiguous so its meaning is going to depend on context. In cases where precision is required (legal, technical documents of example), the typical practice is to define terms or provide a reference. ---
**Author:** ![ChaplainDarrell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/chaplaindarrell/32/41200_2.png) [@ChaplainDarrell](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ChaplainDarrell)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 1:47pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/9 "2025-01-20T13:47:35Z")
😆 ---
**Author:** ![ChaplainDarrell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/chaplaindarrell/32/41200_2.png) [@ChaplainDarrell](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ChaplainDarrell)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 1:52pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/10 "2025-01-20T13:52:17Z")
Congratulations. I also earned that and since then found out I qualified for the Arctic Service medal. Made “Square Knot Sailor”. ---
**Author:** ![ChaplainDarrell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/chaplaindarrell/32/41200_2.png) [@ChaplainDarrell](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ChaplainDarrell)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/11 "2025-01-20T13:57:21Z")
> [@ChaplainDarrell](#): > > IMO, if you are not north of the Bering Straits, you haven’t “gone Polar”. IMO, if you are not north of the Bering Straits, you haven’t “gone Polar”. What can I say? I was an EM way down deep in the bowels of the ship on generator watch or motor room watch. Maps and where we where was left up to the quartermasters. I was thinking in terms of “there’s ice” or “it’s ice free” and south of the Straits is normally ice-free. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/12 "2025-01-20T14:33:01Z")
> [@ChaplainDarrell](#): > > if you are not north of the Bering Straits, you haven’t “gone Polar”. I don’t disagree. It’s about context. The reason I moved your post is because the OP in the Polar Tanker thread is looking for info, not a bunch of BS. I figure I got my ticket punched in the Chukchi Sea north of Barrow (now Utqiagvik). ---
**Author:** ![ChaplainDarrell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/chaplaindarrell/32/41200_2.png) [@ChaplainDarrell](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ChaplainDarrell)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 1:18am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/13 "2025-01-22T01:18:23Z")
Not really trying for BS. I was thinking about just where a “polar tanker” might be called on to go. Will the tankers go north of the Straits? Or through the Northwest Passage? When the SS Manhattan went over the top, even though it was fitted with an icebreaking bow, it took three icebreakers to get her through. I’m just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Tupsis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@Tupsis](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Tupsis)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 7:16am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/14 "2025-01-22T07:16:59Z")
> [@ChaplainDarrell](#): > > When the SS Manhattan went over the top, even though it was fitted with an icebreaking bow, it took three icebreakers to get her through. I’m just sayin’. SS Manhattan was, at the time and for a long time afterwards, the largest icebreaking ship ever to enter service. This year there were 18 commercial transits between late July and mid-November, not to mention numerous destinational voyages, by ice-strengthened but not icebreaking ships mainly without icebreaker assistance. “The polar region’s still the same. There’s just… less in it.” ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 11:32am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/15 "2025-01-22T11:32:15Z")
From [ConocoPhllips website](https://alaska.conocophillips.com/) > The Polar Tanker fleet consists of five Endeavour Class tankers—the Polar Endeavour, Polar Resolution, Polar Discovery, Polar Adventure and Polar Enterprise—designed specifically for the twice-monthly 2,500 to 5,000-mile round-trip from Valdez, Alaska, to Washington, California, and Hawaii. Don’t recall meeting anyone that worked there, don’t know much about the ships or the company. That run however does not fit any reasonable definition of 'polar regions". ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/16 "2025-01-22T18:06:35Z")
I agree. Valdez is an “ice free” port. But of course there may be some drift glacial ice at any time of year on the approaches. I don’t know whether the Polar Tanker are ice class, or not. To me, the Arctic or Polar region begins at the Arctic Ocean (e.g. the Bering Strait). Perhaps there are some exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![spowiednick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/spowiednick/32/35668_2.png) [@spowiednick](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/spowiednick)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/17 "2025-01-22T23:02:27Z")
[https://www.asil.org/topics/signaturetopics/BNJ/polar](https://www.asil.org/topics/signaturetopics/BNJ/polar) ![Screenshot_20250122_234107](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/7/7/77b253549a25782af100f1089190fd40bc27aab5.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 12:00pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/18 "2025-01-23T12:00:58Z")
The five Endeavour Class tankers are not ice class. They are ‘polar tankers’ in name only. ---
**Author:** ![Manuel\_Cx](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/manuel_cx/32/69854_2.png) [@Manuel\_Cx](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Manuel_Cx)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 6:55am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/19 "2025-01-24T06:55:52Z")
Search for IMO Polar Code, it will answer your question. You’ll need at Basic Polar Code Operations endorsement to navigate polar waters. ---
**Author:** ![Rock\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4bbf92/32.png) [@Rock\_Hill](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Rock_Hill)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2025, 7:02am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652/20 "2025-01-24T07:02:05Z")
Yeah “Polar Tankers” is a brand, kind of like “Seattle’s Best Coffee”. The tankers aren’t actually polar and the coffee isn’t really Seattle’s best. The tankers go to Alaska but they do not go to polar regions, no matter how you define polar. That’s why we built the trans-Alaskan pipeline after all. Because operating actual tankers in that part of the world would be prohibitively expensive, risky, and doable only for a limited period of the year. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/defining-polar-regions/71652.md?page=2)