The ITRC participates at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2022

Marine tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism industry and the number of cruise ships, both large and smaller expedition cruise vessels, operating in the Arctic and North Atlantic is on the rise. As these activities continue to experience growth within the area, the possibility of accidents occurring and other incidents that requires the involvement of responders increases. 

It is important that the relevant authorities, response parties, the tourism industry, marine industry, and Arctic communities have good consultation on organization, regulations, preparedness, facilities, etc. This dialogue including conferences, exercises, and similar interactions are important to mitigate risk and maintain a safe marine environment in the arctic.  

The Icelandic Coast Guard, the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, and the Icelandic Tourism Research Centre have organised two breakout sessions at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 where key stakeholders will give their views and discuss the main challenges they face and fields of collaboration in this regard.  The focus will be on the remarkable increase of number of passenger vessels in the North Atlantic Region and appropriate responders’ capacity and preparedness to tackle the consequent increase of environmental and safety risks. How appropriate do responders in the regions considered collaborate and how well are they prepared to tackle the risks connected to Arctic Cruise? Which are regional practices and existing policies and guidelines for managing cruise traffic and on-land cruise services at the sites of visits? Which are the main lessons and best practices we have learned so far? How can cooperation in this area be further expanded?

After the discussion, all the attendees are invited to attend the Icelandic Coast Guard’s rescue exercise at sea, which will be visible from Harpa.  The Icelandic Coast Guard will conduct a rescue exercise at sea with the participation of a patrol vessel, a patrol boat, and a helicopter from the Coast Guard together with a rescue ship and rescue boats from the Icelandic Association for Search and Recue, ICE-SAR. The exercise will demonstrate procedures of rescue from a ship, life-raft and person in water.

 

Agenda Thursday, 13 October 2022

 

10:05 – 11:00, Booming Arctic Cruise: Safety and Environmental Risks – Part I 
Environmental, Business, and Tourism Analysis

Harpa, Reykjavik

Opening:

RADM Georg Kr. Lárusson, Director, Icelandic Coast Guard; Icelandic Hydrographic Services, Iceland: Challenges in the Arctic - Beating the Odds

Moderator:

Captain Auðunn Kristinsson, Icelandic Coast Guard

Speakers:  

Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir, Director, Icelandic Tourism Research Centre: Cruise Tourism Trends in Iceland

Carina Ren, an Associate professor at Aalborg University, Cruise tourism scene in Greenland

Sigrún Ágústsdóttir, Director, Umhverfisstofnun, Environment Agency of Iceland, Iceland, Cruise tourism and Protected Areas in the North - impact and management

Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council, Norway: Public-Private Partnerships in the Arctic

Frigg Jørgensen, Executive Director, Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), Svalbard and Jan Mayen, AECO efforts to ensure sustainable operations in the Arctic  

 

11:05-12:00 Booming Arctic Cruise: Safety and Environmental Risks – Part II
Assessment on Safety from the Responders

Harpa, Reykjavik

Moderator:

Captain Auðunn Kristinsson, Icelandic Coast Guard

Speakers:

Rear Admiral Martin la Cour-Andersen, Commander, Joint Arctic Command, the Danish Defense, Denmark: Considerations Regarding Safety at Sea when Navigating the Arctic

Commander Kenneth Dahl, Head of Operation Department, Coast Guard, Norway: Norwegian Coast Guards View on Cruise Safety and Environmental Risks in the High North and Commander Jo Eirik Karslen, Section Leader, Coast Guard, Norway: Norwegian Coast Guards View on Cruise Safety and Environmental Risks in the High North

Tore Wangsfjord, Chief of Operations, JRCC North-Norway (NMCC), Norway: ARCSAR - the Project and the Results

Hekla Jósepsdóttir, Project officer, operation's division, Icelandic Coast Guard, Iceland: ARCSAR LIVEX - Enhancing Understanding, Collaboration, and Trust

 

12:00-12:45 Icelandic Coast Guard’s Rescue Exercise at Sea

Harpa, Reykjavik

The Icelandic Coast Guard will conduct a rescue exercise at sea with the participation of a patrol vessel, a patrol boat, and a helicopter from the Coast Guard together with a rescue ship and rescue boats from the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, ICE-SAR. The exercise will demonstrate procedures of rescue from a ship, life-raft and person in water.

 

Contact info:

Federica Scarpa, Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, federica@arcticiceland.is,+354.7760539

Anna Finnbogadóttir, Icelandic Coast Guard,  annaf@lhg.is

Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir, Icelandic Tourism Research Centre, gudrunthora@rmf.is 

Ása Marta Sveinsdóttir, Icelandic Tourism Research Centre, asamarta@rmf.is

 

Organized by: