AECO works to ensure that expedition cruise tourism in the Arctic is carried out with the utmost consideration for safety on land and at sea, through evaluation and mitigation of risks to practice safe operations.

This is achieved by ensuring that the resources of the Arctic expedition cruise industry are recognized as valuable assets in Arctic Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts.

Focus Areas

Collaboration and Point of Contact

AECO maintains an active dialogue with Search and Rescue (SAR) entities across the Arctic. Collaboration is key, and AECO has initiated and continues to jointly organize the annual Joint Arctic SAR event with the Icelandic Coast Guard and the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Northern Norway. The event fosters cooperation between our industry and SAR responders such as the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, and the Arctic Council Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Working Group (EPPR).

AECO also regularly engages with the Canadian Coast Guard and participates in the Canadian Marine Advisory Council (CMAC) to further strengthen partnerships and communication.

Safe Operations

Ensuring safe operations is a core priority. AECO enforces a comprehensive mandatory set of operational guidelines for its members, which often go beyond existing international, national, and local regulations.

AECO’s guidelines cover a range of safety and operational aspects. In addition, tools such as the vessel tracker and the Off-Vessel Risk Assessment Tool further enhances safety by providing real-time vessel position information to members, enabling informed voyage planning and safety risk assessments.

This, combined with AECO’s operational framework, ensures that expedition cruise tourism in the Arctic is conducted with the highest safety standards.

Vessel of Opportunity

The Arctic expedition cruise fleet is a valuable resource that can serve as a resource in Arctic emergency preparedness and response. AECO works to promote this potential not only for search and rescue but also for other critical roles, such as oil spill response and emergency healthcare.

Understanding how the expedition cruise industry works provides insight into the capacity and capabilities within the expedition cruise industry. A valuable learning is how vessels in distress, vessels of opportunity, search and rescue responders and home offices can work together to use available resources in the best possible way.

Exercises, Events and Workshops

In 2016, AECO initiated the first large scale Joint Arctic SAR tabletop exercise (TTX) and workshop. This was a collaboration with the Icelandic Coast Guard and the Norwegian cruise liner, Hurtigruten and brought together industry, SAR entities and academia. The exercise was a follow-up on several previously organized larger Arctic joint SAR responder’s TTX and LIVEX’s, such as the Arctic Zephyr and the SAREX Greenland Sea 2012 and 2013.

AECO’s goals include bringing together expedition cruise operators and SAR entities in joint Arctic SAR events and exercises, to ensure information exchange, communication and to build relations and trust.

Another focus-area is that everyone involved understands how the industry can be recognized and utilized as an asset in SAR operations. An important forum has been the Arctic Security Preparedness Network (ARCSAR), where AECO joined as one of 21 international partners with the objective of representing the views and concerns of the expedition cruise industry, and to continue to develop networks and dialogues with Arctic SAR stakeholders.

AECO’s already established Joint Arctic SAR workshop and TTX were organized under the umbrella of ARCSAR, including a live exercise with a member vessel in 2022.

Crowd Sourcing and Observations

AECO coordinates the crowd-sourced collection of depth soundings in Arctic waters, with expedition cruise vessels contributing data during their voyages. This information supplements official charts and is shared with operators and authorities.

The association also plays a vital role in developing official charts and pilotage services in Svalbard, engaging with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) to represent the needs of Arctic operators.

Members with vessels carrying more than 12 passengers must share their position using a vessel tracker, providing real-time information through an online portal that aids in voyage planning and safety.

AECO maintains an online database of vessel specifications, cruise itineraries, and post-visit reports, supporting member coordination and generating useful statistics for stakeholders.

As the primary representative of the Arctic expedition cruise industry, AECO advocates for nautical and ice charts, pilotage services, and pilot certification, while ensuring access to real-time ice information and forecasts.

Last update: 19. November 2024