SHIPBOARD INFORMATION 2017 Arctic Expedition August 8 August 23, 2017
Welcome! Bienvenue! Tunngasugit! Students on Ice is very excited to welcome you aboard the Ocean Endeavour- our home for the next two weeks of discovery, learning and adventure! To help make your expedition experience as rewarding as possible, please take the time to read the following information and guidelines. LIFE AT SEA ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements over the Ocean Endeavours public address (PA) system will be made to keep you updated on events, presentations and the daily itinerary. Listen for our SOI staff advising of wildlife sighting, upcoming events and landings. The PA system is audible on all levels, in all rooms and outside on the all decks. The volume is adjustable in your cabin but for safety reasons cannot be disabled. BRIDGE POLICY As often as maritime regulations and weather conditions allow, the Ocean Endeavour bridge is open for visits. The bridge is the platform from which the vessel is commanded and offers an excellent opportunity to observe and learn about ship operations. Passengers asked to stay away from working areas and to not eat or drink while visiting the bridge, In the event that you are asked to leave the bridge, you must do so calmly, quickly and without question. BRIEFINGS & RECAP In addition to daily announcements, SOI will provide regular briefings for upcoming plans and excursions. Students and staff will also get the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences during recap sessions. These sessions will be held regularly with the entire expedition team and in your pod groups! SECURITY & PASSENGER IDENTIFICATION As you board the Ocean Endeavour you will receive your personal passenger ID card; this will also serve as your cabin access card. Carry this card with you at all times on your SOI lanyard. When disembarking for shore landings or Zodiac cruises, you must swipe your card to indicate you are ashore, and swipe your card upon returning to the ship to confirm you are back on board. This is an important safety measure that will help SOI and ship staff keep track of passenger movement. 1
LIFE VESTS Cabins are equipped with an emergency life preserver for each passenger. Separate life vests, which are more comfortable and light-weight are provided for use in the Zodiacs on all landings and cruises. Life vests must be properly secured before you begin to descend the ship s gangway. Life vests are also held on deck by the lifeboats. These life vests are to be used in case of a ship emergency and during lifeboat drills. Additional instructions will be provided during your onboard lifeboat drill. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY During expedition, we aim to minimize our impact on the land and waters by using all trash receptacles on board and ashore. Never throw anything over the side of the ship or leave anything behind on shore landings. To help conserve energy, please turn off all lights when you exit your cabin. RECEPTION DESK The Shipboard Receptionist is available to answer onboard guest questions and assist daily from 0600hrs to 2300hrs at the Reception Desk on Deck 5. The Reception desk can help you with the following: Reporting any required maintenance Reporting and holding lost and found items Cabin access cards LOST & FOUND A lost and found box is located at the Reception Desk, Deck 5. Please help your fellow passengers by bringing all found items to this location! OUSTIDE DECKS Proper shoes are required on board at all times, and especially on outer decks. Be careful while walking around the outer decks, as it can be slippery at times. Use handrails whenever possible. A golden rule for shipboard-life: one hand for the ship and one hand for yourself! STAIRS & DOORWAYS There are steps in many doorways, so please watch your step and proceed with caution. When passing through all doorways and while in your cabin DO NOT place your hands in doorframes or on the edge of doors. With ship movement at sea, doors can slam and be dangerous. Always ensure that doors are fully closed or latched open. ASHORE As a safety measure, never walk alone while ashore - always travel with someone else or as part of a group. As the Students on Ice expedition operates in bear country, we take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety during shore landings. You will also be briefed on appropriate shore-landing behaviour by expedition staff. 2
If weather conditions deteriorate, the Captain will sound the return to ship signal (continuous short blasts). As soon as you hear this signal, immediately return to the landing area or follow instructions from SOI staff members. Littering on, or collecting items from, an archaeological site is an offense. Our shipboard archaeologist will brief you on appropriate behaviour for our landing at cultural sites. However, as a general rule: Take only photographs and leave only footprints. Be punctual. It is very important that you respect the expedition schedule and are on time for buses, lectures, meals, excursions, and other activities. This allows us to keep on schedule and achieve our goals. LANDING PROCEDURES Utilizing small Zodiac boats for our landings requires cooperation from passengers to ensure that landings run safely, smoothly and efficiently. Passengers must follow the instructions of the Zodiac drivers at all times. Your attendance at all pre-excursion briefings is mandatory, as the expedition staff will discuss specific details relevant to each landing Pay attention to the pre-departure weather report, given over the PA system, so that you know how to dress for each landing Always have both hands free for boarding and disembarking the Zodiac. This means any personal items must be carried in a backpack. Do not hold any tripods, cameras or walking sticks in your hands while boarding the Zodiac. When boarding Zodiacs, step quickly and carefully, accepting all assistance offered by crew members. Do not hold a helper s hand. Instead, grip each other by the forearm, as this creates a firm grip and leaves hands free in case of a slip. Always remain seated in the boat unless requested or instructed to stand. Remain calm if the motor staff and do not try to help with oars unless instructed to do so. Never step over the stern where the motor is located. The smallest wave could lift the craft and cause the stern to come down on your feet. Disembark Zodiacs are the shore quickly and calmly to prevent the boats from waiting at the waters edge. It can be difficult for boat handlers to hold craft as the shore and may also delay other boats. During shore excursions you will use your passenger identification card to check on and off the ship. When disembarking for landings or Zodiac cruises, swipe your card to indicate you are ashore. Swipe your card upon returning to the ship. 3
ILLICIT DRUGS, ALCOHOL & CIGARETTES A strict no illicit drug and alcohol policy will be in place throughout the entire expedition from the time you leave home until you return. This policy will be strictly enforced at all times. Cigarette smoking during the expedition is strongly discouraged, but if required, cigarettes may only be smoked in designated areas. To safeguard the health and safety of its guest, the Ocean Endeavour maintains a strict non-smoking policy in the entire interior of the ship (including cabins), near the Zodiacs and on shore landings. Smoking is only permitted in the designated area on Deck 6 at the rear of the ship. Always extinguish cigarettes properly and dispose of them in the proper receptacle. Never throw cigarettes overboard as they are environmental hazard. SPACES ON THE SHIP The Hub Our main space. This is where we will be gathering as one big expedition team for presentations and briefings. Located on Deck 6 (aft). The Library This is where you will find books and additional educational resources. The library can be found on Deck 6 (midship). Please return books to the proper place when you are done with them! Science Lab The SOI Science Lab is located in the Library and is a space for you to immerse yourself in hands-on experiences with our experts in botany, glaciology, oceanography and more! The K-Zone The K comes from the word kativik, which is an Inuktitut word that means a gathering or meeting place. Located in the Dining Room, the K-Zone is a space for you to explore expression through sketching, painting, block printing, or sewing Inuit crafts! The Tuk Tuk comes from the Inuktitut word tukitaarvik means to come together and gain and understanding. This space will be used for various workshops and activities. The Studio A space for creativity, innovation and idea sharing. This space will be open for specific portions of the Education Program. Listen to announcements to get updates on when presentations or workshops will be taking place in this space. Blog Central Station This is where you can use the SOI netbooks to blog for the expedition website. Dining Room This is where breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served. Located on Deck 6 (forward). 4
PERSONAL LODGINGS ELECTRICITY The electricity on-board is 220AC electrical outlets, with European 2 pin round holes. You may use your own adapter for outlets, but do NOT use transformers, and please do NOT bring any hairdryers, hair straighteners, electric shavers, etc. CABINS & CLEANLINESS All passenger cabins have private washroom facilities, and individual climate control. There are 2 passengers per cabin with male and female lodgings separated. Expedition staff are in cabins spread around the ship - please be sure to identify the cabin number of the staff member on your deck so that you can find them quickly and easily if you need assistance. Daily housekeeping service is provided to all cabins. However, all participants are expected to keep their cabins clean and tidy! Towels are changed on an as-needed basis. Towels to be washed are to be left on the bathroom floor; towels that do not need changing may be hung to dry. This measure is used to help conserve water. WATER Tap water on board is safe to drink. There may be times during the expedition when you will be asked to conserve water in order to extend our fresh water supply. With everyone s co-operation, no real hardship will be noticed. TOILET SYSTEM The toilet system on board is a sensitive vacuum system. Please DO NOT deposit any Kleenex, diapers, paper towels, feminine products, etc., in the toilet. Only use the toilet paper provided on board. Close the lid when not in use to prevent any unwanted materials from entering the vacuum system. 5
SHARE YOUR JOURNEY BLOGGING While the Students on Ice program prohibits access to any type of internet or phone service during expedition, remember that the 2017 Arctic Expedition website is an excellent tool to allow your friends and family to follow your journey! Head to Blog Central Station to have the opportunity to blog every day. Your blog entries are then sent back to the SOI main office via satellite and posted on the expedition website for friends and family to read. JOURNALING Students on Ice will provide you with an expedition journal and you are encouraged to record your thoughts, feelings, ideas and questions throughout the expedition. Journaling is a great way to preserve your SOI experience and will allow you to recount and relive the expedition once you have returned home! SHIP TERMS 6