PROVIDING PERSONNEL FOR ARCTIC PROJECTS

The article deals with the system of training personnel for the Arctic projects taking into consideration prospects of northern territories development and offshore (shelf) mining. The material is presented from the perspective of the contribution made by the State University named after admiral S.O. Makarov. The aspects of personnel training are viewed against the historical background, the current situation as well as possible ways to improve the system. The Northeast Passage is not only an important transport component for shipping goods along the Russian coast but a significant international transport corridor as well. Enhancing maritime safety from the perspective of both the navigational and environmental requirements can only be ensured in case the ships are manned with competent personnel. The author points out the importance of highly qualified personnel capable of operating ships in ice conditions and highlights the importance of well-trained pilots. Creating and maintaining Northeast Passage port and navigational infrastructure presupposes the availability of adequately trained personnel.
The article briefly outlines the historic significance of the State University named after S.O. Makarov in developing the Arctic. In particular, the author underlines that practically all Russian cargo ships with nuclear propulsion are manned with the crew who have either graduated from the University or have completed supplementary vocational courses organized by the University.
Apart from the task of maintaining the Northeast Passage as the Arctic transit shipping line, waterborne transportation in estuaries of the Siberian rivers and estuarial ports should be taken into consideration. When considering the prospects of fossil fuel shipping the characteristics of the cargo base should not be underestimated. The author stresses that personnel resource should be taken into consideration within the framework of resource provision for the Arctic projects.