That map is from 2011. With SOLAS and other regulatory bodies, it is important to find the most recent source, as various codes get updated. Here is the most recent verbiage from SOLAS Chapter IV (Because of what I do for a living, I have a subscription to vairous updated documents through Witherby.):
Regulation 1
Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter:
1 Polar Code means the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, consisting of an introduction
and parts I-A and II-A and parts I-B and II-B, as adopted by resolutions MSC.385(94) and of the Marine
Environment Protection Committee,* as may be amended, provided that:
.1 amendments to the safety-related provisions of the introduction and part I-A of the Polar Code are
adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of article VIII of the
present Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the annex other than
chapter I; and
.2 amendments to part I-B of the Polar Code are adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee in
accordance with its Rules of Procedure.
2 Antarctic area means the sea area south of latitude 60° S.
3 Arctic waters means those waters which are located north of a line from the latitude 58°00’.0 N
and longitude 042°00’.0 W to latitude 64°37’.0 N, longitude 035°27’.0 W and thence by a rhumb line to
latitude 67°03’.9 N, longitude 026°33’.4 W and thence by a rhumb line to the latitude 70°49’.56 N and
longitude 008°59’.61 W (Sørkapp, Jan Mayen) and by the southern shore of Jan Mayen to 73°31’.6 N and
019°01’.0 E by the Island of Bjørnøya, and thence by a great circle line to the latitude 68°38’.29 N and
longitude 043°23’.08 E (Cap Kanin Nos) and hence by the northern shore of the Asian Continent eastward to
the Bering Strait and thence from the Bering Strait westward to latitude 60° N as far as Il’pyrskiy and following
the 60th North parallel eastward as far as and including Etolin Strait and thence by the northern shore of the
North American continent as far south as latitude 60° N and thence eastward along parallel of latitude 60° N,
to longitude 056°37’.1 W and thence to the latitude 58°00’.0 N, longitude 042°00’.0 W.
4 Polar waters means Arctic waters and/or the Antarctic area.
If your read thought the above, it is clear that the earlier posted chartlet is correct, and that neither Anchorage no Valdez are within the boundaries of areas required to follow the Polar Code. In fatc, I rarely see Ice Class vessels in Cook Inlet, and have never seen one in Valdez.
CaptStash…