THE NAPOLI INCIDENT, DEVON UK–THE FORMAL NCP ENVIRONMENT GROUP

Abstract

ABSTRACT The concept of an ENVIRONMENT GROUP (EG) was introduced into the UK maritime incident response process shortly after the SEA EMPRESS incident. The Groups role is to provide public health and environmental advice to all response units. The NAPOLI incident presented responders with a highly complex matrix of issues concerned with major salvage, oil pollution at sea and onshore, potential for HNS into the sea and subsequent concerns for environment and public health. Two response cells were set up:- a Salvage Control Unit for all salvage activity and a Marine Response Cell to respond to all pollution at sea. Unusually for a UK incident the response to oil and cargo ashore was dealt with by contractors engaged by the insurers. The NAPOLI EG was set up immediately the container vessel was in difficulties, chaired by a UK Environment Agency officer. The Group was immediately tasked with evaluating the likely impact of a series of possible scenarios involving oil and/or cargo loss. The key to successful management of environmental considerations was the communications network set up between the response cells at Portland Coastguard, the operational EG and the specialist scientists and technicians in UK government departments/agencies. Whilst the EG individual members have specific responsibilities associated with their parent bodies regulatory status, the Groups remit is to present one voice to the response cells when consulted on any issue. That process can be challenging when meeting short timelines. Advice taskings were essentially split between immediate environmental consultations e.g use of dispersants in the event of a spill, and discrete “project” risk evaluations and monitoring protocols e.g. modeling of releases of specific cargo and development of risk assessments and worst case scenarios. Project work was typically carried out by people away from the operations centre thus freeing up the operational EG to concentrate on live issues on a day by day basis. The operational EG maintained regular conference calls with UK government specialists to discuss the need for, the modus operandi and the progress and outcomes of environmental monitoring.