The Polar Code, which will come into force on January 1, 2017, addresses safety and environmental requirements for ships and the level of training required for deck officers. To address a gap between the time the Polar Code enters into force and the adoption of the amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW) which will follow later, the U.S. Coast Guard has issued a policy letter providing interim guidance for the training of bridge officers engaged on ships that operate in areas subject to the Polar Code.
The guidance is available here.
