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.

Posted: February 28, 2026 Author: Diego Jacobson, CEO, White Glacier In late February 2026, Chile’s Maritime Authority (DIRECTEMAR) announced it will begin verifying immersion suit performance during Port State Control (PSC) inspections in Punta Arenas — a major Antarctic gateway handling 20–30% of expedition traffic. For the first time, a flag state has signaled that Polar Code survival requirements must be met in real-world polar conditions — not just on certification p