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Protection against polar bears during the expedition

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Polar bears are a severe danger for working on the ice or onshore in the Arctic.

The Alfred Wegener Institute carries out a training for protection against polar bears and provides weapons for the expedition.

For each group working on the ice or onshore 2 people need either to possess a German hunting license or take part in a 2 days firearm training conducted by AWI. Only these persons are allowed to carry AWI-firearms.

A maximum of 5 rifles and 5 flare pistols can be used onboard RV Polarstern.

The cruise leader contacts the relevant person at AWI before the expedition in order to discuss the usage and number of weapons.

the weapons will be brought onboard for you.

The training is valid for 3 years and has to be repeated afterwards.

Contact in case you need to participate in a training.

This chapter refers to special regulations on the operation sites.
Regulations and laws concerning weapons of the respective operation regions must be followed.
If no national law is applicable the German law is valid. If different regulations may apply the stricter one is decisiveThe handling of the weapons onboard will be described in the following.

Polar bears in the Arctic (Photo: Dr. Mario Hoppmann)

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Weapons

Definition:

Every firearm that is obliged to be registered after German Law.
(Signal Pen is not subject to the German Weapons Law according to AWI logistics)

AWI weapons:

Weapons that are registered or have been bought by Alfred Wegener Institute.

The weapons are managed by AWI and supervised by the chief weapons advisor of Bremerhaven. Furthermore an expedition weapon advisor has to be announced for every cruise to the department of logistics and the chief weapon advisor in written form. This person is not responsible for proper handling of the firearms but administers them onboard.

Usage of or carrying along any kind of private firearms is absolutely prohibited.

Expenses

The expenses for the training in Bremerhaven have to be covered by the singe projects (about 100€, 2018).
Other expeditions or external expedition members outside AWI need to cover the costs from their own project funds.

Right to carry weapons and training

Training for all expedition participants is held by an officially accredited trainer in Bremerhaven once a year in spring. The trainer may be supported by well-experienced assistants.

The training is subdivided in theory and practice and comprises weapon knowledge, theoretical usage of weapons, legal rules and shooting training. Furthermore people are taught in the behaviour towards polar bears.

In case that a trainee proved inadequate (final test) he is not allowed to carry weapons during the expedition. The training may be repeated the next year. If this leads to cancellation of the expedition the participant may provide additional official proof for suitability to carry weapon. This proof has only to be handed in if the participant attended the whole course in Bremerhaven. There are no exceptions from the compulsory attendance of the training.

Other proofs such as a German hunting licence may be approved of after thorough examination.

Validity and renewal

Validity of the training is limited to 3 years (until 31.12. of a year).
The certificate may be extended for 2 years by a shortened participation in the course (practical training and final test).

Hand over of the weapons to the captain

Weapons will be unloaded during hand over to and from the captain. The respective person has to visually inspect the weapons with regard to completeness and condition. The kind of weapon, calibre and serial number and possible remarks have to be noted down in a protocol present onboard and signed with date, time, name, function and signature of the person involved. A copy goes to the person that hands over the weapons.

Hand over of the ammunition

Ammunition will be handed over seperately from the weapons. The ammunition has to be counted by the person that takes it. Number and calibre has to be noted in the protocol. Return of ammunition will be separately from the weapons.

Storage

Weapons and ammunition will be professionally stored in a authorized weapons safe.

Hand over to the weapon advisor onboard

Weapons and ammunition will be handed over by the captain to the weapon advisor solely shortly before reaching the operating area, The cruise leader has to name a weapon advisor before the expedition begins. He will be named in the operation plan and will be instructed by AWI's weapon advisor before the cruise. He is the authority for all users of weapons including the cruise leader. In case of justified doubts the captain has the right to refuse the weapon advisor assigned by the cruise leader.

The captain has the authority to control the weapon safe at any time. After leaving the operating area the weapons will be cleand and unloaded and stored in the weapon safe. The keys will be handed over to the captain.

The weapon advisor is responsible for cleaning, maintenance and safe handling of the weapons.

Responsiblities of the weapon advisor and his deputies

• safekeeping of weapons and ammunition

• hand out after checking certificates

• refusal to hand over weapons due to personal assessment or special incidents

• report about loss or damage of weapons to Bremerhaven

• instructions in weapon usage

• taking back the weapons and check their condition

Instructions for handling

• The weapon must be unloaded after usage, the magazine as well. Unloading should take place on-site but not onboard. Aim the weapon to the ground ca. 1m before you during unloading.
• Weapon should acclimatize and then be dried.
• Pull the barrel of the gun.
• Lightly oil the weapon inward and outward.
• Press the gun's trigger and then push the cocking lever forward.

Attention:

• Always load and unload the weapon off the ship.
• Never aim the weapon towards people.
• Clean the weapon before hand over to the weapon advisor.
• Always keep the weapons and ammunitions separately locked.

Responsibilities of the weapon carriers

The shooter or the weapon carrying person has the responsibility for the weapon and its safe handling.

An investigation about the course of events will be initiated in case of an accident with weapons in order to clarify the questions of guilt and claims for compensation.
The shooting person is eventually personally liable.

If the general regulations for usage of weapons are violated during an expedition, the respective person will not be handed a weapon anymore. The weapon advisors has to make sure of this.

On the ice

Each working group on the ice has 1 watchman that solely watches out for polar bears and also carries the weapon.
He always carries the weapon with him and must not take over other tasks.

There are 5 weapons maximum onboard. Therefore only 5 groups maximum may operate on the ice.

Additionally, the vicinity of the ship is observed by a science person with binoculars from the bridge deck. He will alarm the groups on the ice in case of a polar bear sighting.

The helicopter crew may overtake the polar bear watch during helicopter operations. The pilots usually have taken part in the AWI seminar.