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Solent Branch

Meetings Programme Feedback for 2007/2008

Wednesday 31st October 2007

"A baptism of fire; managing the MSC Napoli incident "

Solent Branch members accepted the kind invitation of the Hampshire and Dorset group of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) to participate in this event.

Mr George Lang FNI, FCILT, Vice - Chairman of the CILT (UK) Hampshire and Dorset group opened the meeting, welcomed those attending, and introduced the speaker: Mr Robin Middleton, 'SOSREP'.

The SOSREP outlined the problems for the UK Government in dealing with the pollution caused as a result of shipping incidents, most notably the 'Torrey Canyon' (1967) and 'Braer' (1993) incidents and the resulting report by Lord Donaldson of Lymington, entitled 'Safer Ships Cleaner Seas' (1994).
The Sea Empress incident (1996) provided further evidence of a need for action and in March 1999 Lord Donaldson’s Review of Salvage, Intervention and their Command and Control, was published.

Key to the Review was a major change in relation to salvage operations in that the “Ultimate Control” of any salvage operation where there is a threat of significant pollution of the UK environment must be exercised by a SOSREP acting in the overriding public interest.
This SOSREP should be: on site, able to act without delay and free to act without recourse to higher authority.

In 2002 his responsibilities were expanded to include the offshore industry.

The speaker, the first and only 'SOSREP' continued proceedings with an enlightening, and sometimes amusing, snapshot of his 8-year tenure during which some 700 incidents have required his engagement to varying degrees.

Robin Middleton provided a graphic and comprehensive account of the MSC Napoli incident. The vessel suffered structural damage and flooding approximately 40 miles south of the coast of Cornwall on 18 January 2007, was taken in tow and then beached in Lyme Bay where cargo retrieval and salvage work was undertaken.
The speaker had been expecting to retire this year but this incident, unsurprisingly, put those plans on hold to the end of the year.
Those attending were enthralled throughout as the speaker highlighted many of the key decisions and timelines from the initial incident on 18th January through the towage, beaching, salvage and in particular: pollution control, cargo identification, cargo discharge, clean-up and the ongoing ship- breaking operations.
SOSREP has no staff but is able to assemble a team of specialists in various disciplines for a salvage operation and the composition of the ‘Napoli’ team was explained. The interaction between SOSREP and other Government and Non- Government agencies was also of interest. The benefits to all stakeholders of having one man in overall charge in this operation, and in future operations were clearly illustrated.

The MSC Napoli is dwarfed by the latest generation of container vessels and should disaster befall larger vessels in the future then salvage and reception facilities ashore could be severely stretched.
The Vice- Chairman thanked Mr Middleton for his impressive presentation and opened the meeting to the floor for questions. The floor responded.

Note:
The speaker pending the publication of the MAIB report withheld speculation as to the reason/s for the structural failure of the vessel. (Expected publication: by March 2008).

Rupert Best MNI, FCILT (A director of Portland Port) gave the ‘vote of thanks’ to the speaker and noted how well the speaker fitted the requirement of the Donaldson Review in so much as “SOSREP must be a considerable and, preferably, charismatic figure”. He paid tribute to all the courage and professionalism of all those involved in the operation.

The meeting ended with further discussion during an excellent buffet kindly provided by our hosts.

report prepared by
Matthew Winter FNI

page produced by George Lang

last update was on 25th November, 2007

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