With the stated goal of creating a more standardized approach to field staff competency, Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) have worked in partnership to develop standards for field staff working o board expedition cruise vessels in polar regions, according to a press release.

The recommended standards were approved for AECO operators at their Annual General Meeting on October 15, 2020.

For now, the standards are adopted as recommended industry standards that may evolve to become mandatory for AECO members.

According to Frigg Jørgensen, executive director of AECO, the new standards will help ensure a high level of competency among polar field staff in the future.

“Field staff are some of the most important decision-makers in our industry. They are on the frontline of operations where important decisions are made a wide range of areas, and they deal directly with guests. AECO’s members put great emphasis on training their guides and expedition leaders to deal with both day-to-day tasks as well as unplanned situations that may occur. The AECO & IAATO Field Staff Standards build on these existing training practices among members and establishes minimum requirements for staff qualifications. Adopting these recommended standards will benefit the cruise industry, the areas visited and the guests on board, as well as the field staff,” she said.

The standards have been compiled by experienced operator representatives and will be further developed as the industry gains experience in using them in practice, the group announced.

The standards cover areas such as first aid, crisis management, marine radio, navigation, tender boat driving, firearms, polar bear safety and onboard ship safety. The intention is not to design a set of courses, operated and hosted by AECO or IAATO, but to set minimum standards which can be achieved through existing or new courses and training.