The Joint Arctic SAR Event (JASE) is a unique opportunity to collaborate with experts, authorities, and industry leaders to address the growing challenges of safety and emergency preparedness in the Arctic region.
Designed for AECO members and partners across the Arctic SAR community—including coast guards, JRCCs, local emergency services, embassies, and port and coastal authorities—this event is for everyone working to strengthen safety and cooperation in Arctic waters.
The 2026 event is organized by AECO and the Icelandic Coast Guard, in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard and MRCC Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
Preliminary Program
May 5
Building Resilience: Emerging Threats and Collaboration in Arctic SAR
8:30 Registration
9:00 Opening & Event Overview
Welcome and overview of the Arctic SAR landscape, including the operational baseline of search and rescue capacity, operator capabilities, and current challenges.
10:00 Arctic Security
Focus on emerging threats and the geopolitical context.
10:45 Coffe Break
11:00 Five Eyes in the Arctic
Consular knowledge exchange and incident preparedness.
11:20 Panel
Why Consular Integration Matters in Arctic SAR
Embassy perspective on crisis activation, passenger documentation, and diplomatic coordination during major incidents.
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Cyber Security Threats
GNSS Jamming, Satellite Interference, Data Theft, and Interference with Operational Systems.
13:45 Panel
Cyber Security Threats
14:30 Wrap-up
14:45 Coffe Break
15:00 Social Activity: Visit to the CCP
18:30 Pre-dinner Drinks & Dinner
Three-course dinner with wine pairings at Bryggjuhúsið.
May 6
Strengthening Arctic SAR through Community Preparedness and Crisis Simulation
8:30 Coffee & Networking
9:00 Recap of Day 1 & Objectives for Day 2
9:10 Community Preparedness
Emergency preparedness and response for remote communities, highlighting their unique capabilities & needs from operators and search and rescue organizations.
9:30 Panel
Preparedness, Collaboration & Capacity Building
10:00 Coffe Break
10:15 Introduction to the Tabletop Exercise
Briefing on the exercise scenario, objectives, and roles.
10:30 Table-Top Exercise: POLAR SENTINEL
Part 1: Distress to Initial Coordination
Simulated cruise incident and degraded communications.
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Table-Top Exercise: POLAR SENTINEL
Part 2: Passenger Care & Diplomatic Response
Mass-rescue logistics, medical surge, integration of small community and embassy actions.
14:30 Coffe Break
14:45 Table-Top Exercise Debrief
15:15 Panel
Lessons Learned & Future Arctic SAR
15:45 Closing Remarks
Registration Fees
Conference pass: NOK 1,900: includes access to sessions (days 1–2), materials, coffee breaks, and lunch.
Conference pass and dinner: NOK 3,300: includes pre‑dinner drinks and a three‑course dinner with wine pairing.
Hotel Offers
15% discount off standard rates for stays between May 2–9. Book through the links to receive the discounted rate.
Reykjavík Marina Berjaya Iceland Hotel
Canopy by Hilton
Konsulat
Iceland Parliament Hotel
Discount at Center Hotels. Book directly through the link—the promo code BOOKDIRECT will apply automatically.
Previous JASE events. Top left to right: JASE LIVEX (2022); AMVER Award Ceremony (JASE 2024); Digital JASE (2020). Middle left to right: First Joint Arctic SAR event (2016); JASE flyer (2017); JASE conference (2024). Bottom left to right: JASE LIVEX (2022); Break‑out session during tabletop exercise (2023).
About the Event
The Joint Arctic SAR Event (JASE) builds on AECO’s long‑standing engagement in Arctic search and rescue collaboration. In 2016, AECO initiated its first large‑scale Joint Arctic SAR tabletop exercise and workshop in partnership with the Icelandic Coast Guard and Hurtigruten, bringing together industry, SAR authorities, and academia.
Since then, AECO has continued to develop Joint Arctic SAR workshops and exercises to strengthen information exchange, coordination, and trust between expedition cruise operators and SAR entities. Through platforms such as the Arctic Security Preparedness Network (ARCSAR)—where AECO represented the expedition cruise industry—these efforts have also emphasized the role of the industry as a resource in SAR operations.
Last update: 16. April 2026