NATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR MARINE POLLUTION FROM SHIPPING AND OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS

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2.    INITIAL INFORMATION MCA EXPECTS TO RECEIVE
2.1    An immediate response to reported marine pollution or a risk of significant pollution is important.  Incidents at sea should be reported urgently by radio or telephone to an MCA Coastguard Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC³).  If an incident occurs in a harbour, it should be reported to the harbour master who immediately informs a RCC.  Operators of offshore installations immediately inform RCC Aberdeen, Yarmouth or Liverpool (whichever is the most appropriate), and the Department of Trade and Industry, Energy Resources and Development Unit of the Energy Group, of any spill of oil or other pollutants, of any quantity.

2.2    The MCA RCC contacts the ship or offshore installation to ascertain, among other things:

• the nature of incident (collision, loss of containment, etc.);
• the number of people on board;
• the type, size and name of the ship or installation;
• the identity of the owner or operator;
• the precise location, course and speed of the ship, and its proximity to other ships, offshore installations, shallow water and the shore;
• information on the ship’s cargo, stores or bunkers, and whether any are dangerous;
• the structural and mechanical integrity of the ship or installation;
• the weather, sea state and tidal conditions;
• any assistance available to the casualty and the intentions of the Master or Offshore Installations Managers (OIM); and
• any measures already taking place.

2.3    The RCC initiates any search and rescue response required.  Then reports any pollution incident or a risk of significant pollution (whether or not known to involve oil or any other hazardous substance, and even if of unknown origin) to the duty counter pollution and salvage officer, with a copy to MCA Headquarters and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

2.4    Any other organisation (for example, a local authority, harbour authority or environmental organisation) receiving a report of marine pollution of any quantity, or a threat of marine pollution, whether from a ship, offshore installation or unknown source, should send that information immediately to the RCC.  The RCC contacts the duty Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer (CPSO).

2.5    Organisations sending information should make every practicable effort to identify, as a basis for decisions:

• the nature and quantity of the pollutant involved;
• its location;
• its source;
• the weather, sea state and tidal conditions in the area;
• state of incident, and
• events and actions so far.

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