Arctic Patrol Vessel

An ice-strengthened constabulary or naval vessel built for sovereignty patrol, fisheries enforcement, and search and rescue in seasonal ice. Hulls carry a Polar Code ship category (A, B, or C under IMO MEPC.264(68)/MSC.385(94), in force 1 January 2017) and an IACS Polar Class notation (PC1 to PC7). Canada’s Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, rated Polar Class 5, are a current example. Unlike an icebreaker, an Arctic patrol vessel breaks first-year ice incidentally rather than as its primary mission.