Environmental Impacts
Potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures: The Company has performed an Environmental Impact Statement, for activities of MS SILVER WIND in the Canadian Arctic. The document is available upon request. It is anticipated that the environmental impact resulting from the planned activity will be no more than minor or transitory in nature, including on migratory birds, species at risk and/or other wildlife species and their habitat.
Operations have been planned to be fully self-sufficient, with activities managed by experienced support personnel and to be within the search and rescue capability of the vessel, including for medical evacuation.
Mitigation measures and risk management techniques that will be used to reduce/minimize environmental impacts and/or wildlife disturbance include:
-Following established Company-specific standard operating procedures for Zodiac, kayak, and polar bear and bear safety (as outlined in the Expedition Operations Manual);
-Hiring experienced personnel familiar with operations in the Canadian Arctic;
-Utilizing established guidelines, for example from EC-CWS (e.g. “Guidelines to Avoid Disturbance to Seabird and Waterbird Colonies in Canada”) and AECO www.aeco.no (“Wildlife Guidelines,” “Operational Guidelines,” etc.), and Government of Nunavut’s Code of Conduct for Operators in Nunavut and recommendations for operating around polar bears (as provided by Cruise Nunavut).
-Cancelling or modifying activities should conditions warrant it
The specific mitigation measures to reduce potential impact in the region are as follows:
- for emissions to air- Slow speed, propulsion stopped as possible, use of distillate diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline; incinerator not used in NWA
- for emissions to water - No discharge of wastewater (treated sewage or greywater) within 4nm from land; precautions for spill of fuel, spill kit available; no discharges of ballast water unless treated
- for wastes pollution - All solid wastes kept onboard and not discharge to sea but only to reception facilities as available; except macerated food waste which discharged more than 12nm from the territorial baselines
- for noise - Kept to minimum; propulsion stopped whenever possible, no sound signals or announcement on decks
- for physical disturbance - Following best practices and guidelines, keeping min distance to approach, not chasing wildlife; using best practices for flying UAV/drone (as per the guidelines of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) and IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators)
- translocation of diseases/alien species - Sanitation of zodiacs and kayaks hulls before and after placed in the water; no discharge of ballast water; no discharge of other wastewaters
Waste Management
| Waste Type |
Quantity Generated |
Treatement Method |
Disposal Method |
| Combustible wastes |
TBD (Note: we do not have a breakdown for the Projected Amount. We will not be landing solid waste in Nunavut.) |
Incinerated or removed for recycling or disposal ashore as per regulations |
Separated. |
| Non-Combustible wastes |
TBD (Note: we do not have a breakdown for the Projected Amount. We will not be landing solid waste in Nunavut.) |
Food suitable for maceration will be passed through a macerator(<25mm) and disposed to sea as per MARPOL V and Polar CodeFood not suitable for maceration will be segregated andrefrigerated for disposal at certified reception ports |
Macerated |
| Sewage (human waste) |
40m3/day |
Chemicals according to Canadian legislation |
Treated on board, stored and disposed at sea as per MARPOL,Polar Code and CLIA Policy of Discharge >4NM/>6 knots |
| Greywater |
120m3/day |
Chemicals according to Canadian legislation |
To be treated on board, stored and disposed as per CLIA Policy of Discharge >4NM/>6 knots |
| Hazardous |
TBD. (Note: we do not have a breakdown for the Projected Amount. We will not be landing solid waste in Nunavut.) |
Removed for disposal at certified reception ports |
Separated and removed for recycling or disposal at certified reception port |