When a vessel receives its Polar Ship Certificate, a Recognized Organization certifies that it is fit for polar operations. In most cases, that certification is silent on whether the immersion suits aboard provide thermal protection adequate for the Maximum Expected Time of Rescue. That silence is the question this post is about.

Published by White Glacier Manufacturing Corp. In February 2026, Chile's maritime authority became the first to operationalize Polar Code Chapter 8's goal-based LSA verification at the port state control level.