HX: Making the world’s most adventurous expedition cruises safe

Josiah Whitrow, DPA / LPSQ Superintendent, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

Image Credit: HX (HURTIGRUTEN EXPEDITIONS)

Stunning destinations, wildlife encounters, and outdoor activities make people fall in love with expedition cruises. These adventurous people also traverse uncharted waters, face extreme weather and sea conditions to experience such awe-inspiring locations. Leading expedition cruise operator HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) collaborates closely with NAPA Safety Solutions to use the latest digital technology and develop rigorous safety procedures that minimize risk and give passengers the best possible experience.

Venturing off the beaten track

Safety is a core focus of expedition cruise operators, and they have many specialist requirements. They often operate in remote locations with very few (if any) routine port calls and with some individual voyages lasting as long as 21 days. From Iceland, and Antarctica to Greenland and beyond, these ships and their crew must also navigate inclement weather, icy conditions and dynamic environments, often relying on forecasting models that are less detailed compared to those used in typical cruising destinations.

From the Indian Ocean to the South Pacific, expedition ships also regularly traverse uncharted waters, where hydrographical maps and electronic nautical charts (ENCs) are limited (if they exist at all). These are also routes with low or no commercial marine traffic, meaning there is less incentive for hydrographic offices to produce charts of these areas in greater detail, leaving vessels with limited support from other merchant ships in case of need.

Rising to daily challenges

Operating in the unique conditions found ‘off the beaten track’ presents daily challenges for the expedition cruise ship’s crew and shoreside teams. Operating remotely can limit response times and options in the unlikely case of an incident. As a result, it’s important

the ships are self-sufficient and that thorough safety procedures are in place to mitigate risks. Vessel survivability is prioritized, and safety regulations are rigorous, such as the Safe Return to Port (SRtP) regulations of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Polar Code.

To help overcome this isolation, HX contributes to coalitions of expedition cruise operators. It works with the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). These coalitions allow operators to, for example, communicate on safe landing sites, warn other operators of navigational hazards and share best practices.

Image Credit: HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

As the world’s oldest expedition cruise company (established in 1896), HX has robust processes which ensure its expedition cruises are safe, and NAPA Stability gives the crew the ability to deliver on these. Even in the most remote locations, NAPA Stability supports the vessel’s survivability and independence by providing crew onboard with ship condition calculations when intact or in the highly unlikely case of damage. Current conditions and stability can be constantly monitored, while simultaneously planning a new voyage without any interference. This could be to avoid storms or to simply give guests the most rewarding and memorable encounters.

NAPA Stability can also provide templates, a consolidated database, and hyper-realistic simulations for upcoming sections of the trip for efficient planning. It presents these in-depth calculations in a digestible manner on a clear user interface, including clear color indications and notifications to allow crew to swiftly react to any stability status changes; you do not have to be a naval architect to understand the vessel stability data!

Monitoring ships from shore

Shoreside teams, including fleet operations centers, are key to ensuring safe expedition cruises, but they need effective technologies that bridge the gap from ship to shore. These systems, and the insights they provide, are not just ‘nice to have’- they can deliver critical support and enhance decision-making, which can ultimately be vital to safety and operational success.

This is where NAPA Fleet Intelligence comes in, allowing HX’s shoreside team to monitor the safety of the expedition cruise on a single platform. HX’s ships connect to the cloud-based system to provide real-time ship data to the shoreside with two modules: Stability Computer and Stability Monitor.

Image Credit: HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

The Stability Computer module enables teams onshore to launch any of the ship’s stability computers virtually. It shows the exact live loading conditions and can simulate different scenarios to test and analyze stability without affecting onboard use.

The Stability Monitor module, meanwhile, provides fleet-wide stability data in one place to enable fast response to any stability issues. For example, shoreside teams can download the official loading condition files within a few clicks without bothering the onboard crew or can spot-check vulnerabilities faster with color-coded status displays.

Preparing for and responding to emergencies

Due to all the prior planning, preparation and loss prevention activity, the risk of emergencies on an expedition cruise is greatly reduced. However, it is vital to be prepared for unforeseen incidents, which is why HX also uses NAPA Emergency Computer to further minimize the chance of an emergency and effectively respond to an incident, should one arise.

To support day-to-day safety and emergency preparation, NAPA Emergency Computer offers active monitoring. It flags if any sensors are faulty, provides notifications for preventative actions, and highlights any required maintenance, as well as monitoring the sea conditions, checking if any watertight doors are open, and providing a constant overview of vulnerability status. It also offers frequent training and drills to enhance preparedness for emergencies and provides handy advisory cards to improve everyday safety.

If there is an incident, data from NAPA Stability and NAPA Emergency Computer combined with rigorous emergency response services, such as DNV’s Emergency Response Service (ERS™) are ready. ERSTM is a shore-based emergency service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

In an emergency, when every second counts, the crew must focus on timely counteractions rather than having to relay information to the shoreside team and emergency services. That is why NAPA Stability and NAPA Emergency Computer supports communication with ERS by providing accurate, real-time updates on onboard conditions, reducing the burden on the crew.

To respond quickly and correctly, emergency teams must also accurately assess the actual damage to the vessel, which is clearly displayed by NAPA Emergency Computer’s Vessel-TRIAGE categorization feature. The system also gives users special advisory cards for handling flooding should it occur. To support the crew in making the right decisions at the right times, emergency services see a dynamic survivability prediction on a timeline as well.

Image Credit: HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

HX and NAPA’s long-standing partnership demonstrates the numerous layers of communication, data exchange and planning that takes place behind safe expedition cruise, as well as the thorough training and technology that supports emergency preparedness and response in case it is needed. Together, and using the latest digital

technologies, experts continue to facilitate safe cruises in some of the world’s harshest and amazing environments, giving passengers the once in a lifetime experience they’re hoping for.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Josiah Whitrow, DPA / LPSQ Superintendent, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

Educated in nautical science in both New Zealand and the UK, Josiah serves as the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) and Loss Prevention, Safety & Quality Superintendent at HX. With over a decade of experience in the cruise industry, he has held diverse roles in navigation, safety, and environmental management, fostering a comprehensive and integrated approach to maritime operations.

Josiah’s career is defined by his unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety, environmental responsibility, and quality, contributing to the continued excellence of expedition cruising.