Recently, Second Line of Defense interviewed Rear Admiral (Retired) Henrik Kudsk. Kudsk was the last commander of the Greenland Command which has been replaced by the Danish Arctic Command. This command brief dating from 2012 provides a good overview of how the world looks from Greenland, seen by a commander in charge of the security and defense of Greenland. The turnover occurred in the Fall of 2012.

1. GREENLAND COMMAND
Rear Admiral Henrik Kudsk

2. Agenda:
Greenland
Greenland Command.
Maritime Safety in the Arctic – factors,
capabilities – new challenges.
Greenland Command.
The Search and Rescue task.
Resources for Search and Rescue.
The Arctic factors.
Emerging challenges.
The way ahead:
Mandatory IMO Codes.

3. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GREENLAND
COMMAND
- Military Defence of Greenland
- Surveillance and maintenance of territorial sovereignty
- Related maritime duties such as:
- SAR (is also the MRCC Greenland), Notices to
Mariners, etc.Mariners, etc.
- Fishery Protection
- Anti-pollution and oil spill recovery in the open ocean
- Support to local Greenlandic communities such as ice
breaking etc.
- Hydrographic survey.

5. FACTS:
NORTH TO SOUTH:
2.670 KM
EAST TO WEST:
1.200 KM
TOTAL: 2.186.000 KM²
COASTLINE: 39,330 KM
EEZ/GFZ:
WEST COAST : 230.000 NM²
EAST COAST : 240.000 NM²
NORTH AREA : 145.000 NM²
TERRITORIAL WATERS:
3 NM
EEZ/GFZ: 200 NM

6. National
Park
FACTS:
Population: 57.000
W-coast: Over 50.000
(85%)
Nuuk: 15.000
Icecap:

9. SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR)
GREENLAND COMMAND is the MRCC (Maritime Rescue
Coordination Center) for the Greenlandic Search and
Rescue Region. For this task GREENLAND COMMAND
coordinates rescue with all available resources such as our
own naval ships and aircraft, commercial helicopters or any
civilian traffic in the area. No dedicated SAR resources exist.
Evacuation of hunters off Ilulissat, 11. January 2001
ISLAND COMMMANDER GREENLAND is also responsible
for the ship reporting system in Greenland (GREENPOS),
facilitating an good picture of maritime traffic to and from
Greenland.

10. SEARCH AND
RESCUE REGION
GREENLAND
RCC BODOE
RCC TRENTON
MRCC REYKJAVIK
RCC HALIFAX

11. MRCC Reykjavik
MRCC Grønnedal
MRCCs
RCC Sdr. Strømfjord
MRCC St. Johns.
RCC Halifax
MRCC Grønnedal

12. Station North
Landing strip
SIRIUS Sledge Patrol
Main Base Daneborg
Mestersvig Landing Strip
Greenland Command resources
National
Park
Greenland Command HQ
Mestersvig Landing Strip
Patrol Aircraft

13. At sea!

14. In the air!

15. THE FACTORS
Small population concentrated as “islands” on the west
coast.
Small rescue resources historically dimensioned towards the
small population; and towards traditional off shore activities,
mainly fisheries, and a historical sparse traffic of cargo ships
between Europe and Greenland.
Enormity and remoteness of the remainder of Greenland andEnormity and remoteness of the remainder of Greenland and
surrounding waters
Hostile climate; with significantly different conditions
summer and winter
Poorly surveyed waters in remote areas
Given above factors I will discuss the SAR implications of the
increasing global focus towards the Arctic: Next slide!

16. EMERGING CHALLENGES
Current and future mining and offshore activity
Opening of new international shipping routes across
the Arctic
Increased scientific activity
Increased cruise ship tourismIncreased cruise ship tourism

17. M/S EXPLORER – Antarctica, November 23rd.
2007

18. .

19. THE WAY AHEAD
Greenland Command is actively creating and monitoring the
commercial activities in the waters off Greenland. Also in order to
create a good prognosis of the cruise ship activities and a prioritized
employment of our own units. This is done in a close cooperation
with the Icelandic Coast Guard and MRCC Reykjavik.
The cruise operators are warned of the risks against operating alone
and are advised to operate in ”pairs” when in remote areas .and are advised to operate in ”pairs” when in remote areas .
The Danish Maritime Authority has suggested the Arctic nation to
support the implementation via IMO of a mandatory Arctic code on
the conduct and equipment of ships. The IMO process could take a
long time, so your parliamentarian support might facilitate the
process!

20. MANDATORY IMO CODES:
SHIP REPORTING SYSTEMS IN GREENLAND WATERS
(GREENPOS) (SN/Circ.221)
IMO GUIDELINES:
GUIDELINES FOR SHIPS OPERATING IN ARCTIC ICE-COVERED
WATERS (MSC/Circ.1056 MEPC/Circ.399)
RELEVANT IMO CODES (not complete)
WATERS (MSC/Circ.1056 MEPC/Circ.399)
GUIDELINES ON VOYAGE PLANNING FOR PASSENGER SHIPS
OPERATING IN REMOTE AREAS (RESOLUTION A.999(25))
ENHANCED CONTINGENCY PLANNING GUIDANCE FOR
PASSENGER SHIPS OPERATING IN AREAS REMOTE FROM SAR
FACILITIES (MSC.1/Circ.1184)