Page 11: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2024)

calls the contact numbers for the designated spill contractor down, but everybody has become a little smarter. The vessel and the designated salvor. One answers immediately and the owner and its personnel know how to contact the spill con- other takes a bit of time to contact but joins the discussion tractor and the designated salvor and how to instruct them. before the next high tide. At the next high tide, the vessel is The contractors get to exercise their ? rst level response and being re? oated, but during the re? oating the vessel is dragged make ? xes as needed. The USCG knows that in a real disaster over an abandoned anchor and tears out the bottom. Fuel oil the initial system response will kick off reliably and Scenario spills and the vessel is ? ooding and settles down. The des- 1 is less likely to occur in the future.

ignated spill contractor has already talked to the local spill contractor who is aware that there may be a call out and the In other words: Increased predictability has been achieved. I salvor has already contacted their local resources for the same am not suggesting in any way, shape or form that all the response reason. When it became apparent they were needed, they were personnel and equipment needs to be loaded up and sent to the ready to roll and during the salvage operation and clean up casualty. What I am suggesting is that dropping a nickel on your operation everybody, the ship owner, the salvor, the spill re- designated responders early does not have to cost a lot, and in sponse contractor, and the USCG looked good. the long run saves money and makes everybody look good. • Scenario 3. A vessel has a soft grounding. It is expected the vessel can be re? oated on the next high tide. The Owner calls the contact number for the designated spill contractor and the designated salvor. One answers immediately and the

For each column I write, MREN has agreed to make a other takes a bit of time to contact but joins the discussion small donation to an organization of my choice. For this column I nominate the Cornell Lab of Ornithology ... before the next high tide. At the next high tide, the vessel is www.birds.cornell.edu/home ... I like my birds clean. re? oated, and no spill occurs. The vessel has no damage and continues its voyage. The salvage and spill contractors stand

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MR #1 (1-17).indd 11 1/8/2024 9:21:04 AM