Page 56: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q1 2015)

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SALVAGE & RESPONSE al and, sometimes, international levels. There will be tension viduals: SoSREP and the salvage master. This model is further between central and local government and these pressures are enhanced when the ship’s interests are aligned and supportive. felt most in the coastal communities which bear the brunt if In the United States, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA-90) pollution occurs or threatens. attempts to put into place a number of the cooperation issues discussed previously. While still a “work in progress,” OPA-

BEFORE THE CASUALTY 90 in its most basic form requires salvors, owners and insurers

Response effectiveness is increased by detailed contingency to “pre-contract” and otherwise attempt to develop some level planning and joint training. Best practice calls for joint train- of understanding before a casualty. ing and exercises involving response agencies and commercial Anyone who has been involved in marine casualty response salvors. Salvors need freedom of action if they are to use their knows that the potential for disagreement, delay and confron- best endeavors. They need to be con? dent that their plan, per- tation is all too apparent. Circumstances are usually challeng- sonnel and equipment will be supported by the authorities and ing, the environment is dif? cult, time is tight, the authorities the ship’s interests. Most importantly, operational decisions are demanding and the sums of money at stake are enormous.

must rest with the salvor, who has the experience and expertise But it is essential that salvors and ship interests are aligned to make time-critical safety and environmental judgements. and work cooperatively together to prevent loss of life, injury

The International Salvage Union (ISU), the global trade as- and damage to the marine environment. Speed of response is sociation for the marine salvors, regards the UK model as an the key and delay brought on by interference from those who example of best practice in terms of command, control and co- are not at the scene and who do not have the full picture is to operation. In the UK, a senior civil servant is appointed as the be discouraged. It is testament to the willingness of all parties

Secretary of State for Transport’s Representative for maritime to work like this that in the majority of cases there is real co- salvage and intervention (SoSREP), who combines an under- operation and, as a direct result, a successful outcome. standing of salvage with the appropriate amount of delegated

Leendert Muller, President of the International Salvage Union. political authority. In fact, under the UK system, politicians

The international Salvage Union is the global trade association may not intervene while a salvage operation is still in prog- for the marine salvors. Today, it has some 60 members.

ress. All the key decision-making is focused on just two indi-

Svitzer Salvage connects to a simulated casualty in a joint exer- cise with German and Dutch authorities.

56 Maritime Professional 1Q 2015| |