Emergency Management in Maritime Mass Rescue Operations: The Case of the High Arctic

Abstract

Increased ship traffic in turbulent environments like the Arctic represents a challenge to the emergency preparedness system of the region. In this paper we look into emergency incidents calling for mass evacuation that include a broad range of search and rescue units both in the air, at sea and ashore. Coordination of such operations is a challenging task, where several institutions and management levels are included. Host nation support from neighboring countries may be in demand. In this paper, we discuss results from research emphasizing cross-border partnership within the emergency preparedness system of the High North. Experiences from the accident with cruise ship " Maxim Gorkiy " in ice South-west of Svalbard are highlighted. We illuminate the organizational structure of mass rescue operation and the coordinative roles at different levels. We discuss the implications for emergency management in extreme environments like the Arctic region.