During the last decade, Arctic Search and Rescue (SAR) entities and the Arctic expedition cruise industry have strengthened their collaboration through exercises and other activities. The five past Joint Arctic SAR TTX and Workshops are among these, as is the recent ARCSAR LIVEX in Svalbard. Other national and local initiatives, as well as operator individual initiatives adds to the list of exercises.

What all the exercises have in common, are findings. Every exercise has given valuable learnings and takeaways. There are many reports listing areas and issues that can gain from improvement and/or development.

The 2023 Joint Arctic SAR event will not include a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) but instead focus on how the SAR entities and the cruise industry can transform findings into actions.

On this background, the organizers invite participants to be part of a workshop where will discuss solutions and the way forward, exchange ideas and develop actions points and recommendations.
The event will also include presentations and learnings from incidents and major developments throughout the Arctic. Finally, the event will include relevant SAR demonstrations from both a coast guard vessel and by aircraft.

Why a Joint Arctic SAR Event?

Cruise industry representatives, SAR responders and others have described previous joint SAR events, as well as the collaboration between SAR responders and the cruise industry, as highly valuable for strengthening and further developing SAR preparedness and response in the Arctic.

This collaboration has improved the dialogue and cooperation across sectors, leading to a greater understanding of the competencies, capacities and capabilities of the different actors, including limitations and potentials.

The event has also consolidated its reputation as a highly important networking platform.

What can you expect?

• Identify innovation and new development
• Enhance contact, dialogue and cooperation between the cruise industry and SAR entities
• Share information, experience and best practices
• Identify, communicate, and close gaps
• Ensure best possible utilization of all assets, resources and competence
• Focus on problem solving and solutions

Participants
This event will be open to relevant participants from operating members of AECO, such as commanding bridge officers, management and staff with roles in SAR operations, and relevant participants from Arctic search and rescue entities, such as personnel involved in Arctic maritime search and rescue operations. Due to limited capacity, early registration is recommended. Other interested parties such as authorities and researchers are also welcome, if capacity allows.

Registration fee
A registration fee (to be determined) will cover coffee-breaks, two lunches, reception, and dinner with drinks.

Practical information
Travel: Participants make their own travel arrangements.
Venue: Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavik Airport,
Hafnargata 57, 230, Keflavik, Iceland

Accommodation: Participants should book their own accommodation. A block reservation has been made for discounted prices at the Park Inn by Radisson Reykjavik Keflavik Airport.
To book your hotel room, please send an email to groupbookings.keflavik@parkinn.com  and give the reservation number 40624150. The deadline for booking with this number is February 28.

The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), the Icelandic Coast Guard (ICG) and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Northern Norway (JRCC NN) in collaboration with ARCSAR (Arctic and North Atlantic Security and Emergency Preparedness Network) have organized  the annual Joint Arctic SAR Workshop and TTX since 2016. In 2020, the event was organized as a digital event.

The organizing partners are aiming at organizing new in-person events as soon at the COVID-19 pandemic allows for it, but for the time being, AECO and partners are exploring opportunities for virtual events related to Arctic search and rescue. Date and theme for future events are to be determined and will be announced in due time.

Previous events

Press release 2020

Program 2019

Program 2018

Program 2017

Program 2016 

Reports from previous years 

2020 Joint Arctic SAR workshop and TTX

2019 Joint Arctic SAR workshop and TTX

2018 Joint Arctic SAR workshop and TTX 

2017 Joint Arctic SAR workshop and TTX 

2016 Joint Arctic SAR workshop and TTX  

Photo: SAREX Svalbard