NATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR MARINE POLLUTION FROM SHIPPING AND OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS

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8.    SHORELINE AND ON SHORE RESPONSE
Associated with Appendix J (The Shoreline Response Centre)

Shoreline Response Centre
8.1    In the early stages of an incident the local authority or EHS establishes a Tier 1 or Tier 2 response (see paragraph 3.1).  The detail is contained in their own contingency plan.  When the threat of pollution to the shoreline exceeds the capability of the most affected local authority or EHS, and MCA initiates a national response, that local authority (or authorities) or EHS sets up a Shoreline Response Centre (SRC).

8.2    Each local authority’s own contingency plan (and, in Northern Ireland, the EHS contingency plan) should detail the mechanisms for escalating the response in accordance with the tiered response concept and should specify how to set up the SRC in the light of its own practices and organisation.  These plans also contain the necessary authorisations by each local authority to enable the designated officer directing the SRC to take decisions on behalf of the other local authorities concerned.⁶

8.3    An SRC needs to contain representatives of all the local authority services that may need to participate in the clean-up operation, and representatives of all local and port authorities that may become involved.  In addition, it contains an Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) nominated by the Chair of the Environment Group.

Local authority/EHS contingency plans
8.4    The local authority/EHS contingency plans⁷ should include the following or a cross reference to where such advice can be located :

• the mechanisms for escalating the response in accordance with the tiered response concept; guidance on what equipment and personnel is at the disposal of the SRC, including neighbouring local authority resources;
• arrangements for establishing working accommodation and catering arrangements for members of the SRC and Environment Group and other groups involved in the incident who may need to be in the area away from their own base;
• arrangements for handling liaison with the SCU, the MRC and the Environment Group; and other groups involved in the incident;
• arrangements for handling the media, including the logistics of their presence;
• temporary, intermediate and final storage sites and routes for the recovery, reuse or final disposal of waste⁸;
• maps, clearly depicting sensitive sites, access points, terrain types etc;
• guidance on the health and safety of workers involved in preventive measures and clean-up activities;
• a mechanism for assessing the economic impact of the incident on the affected area in general should also be in place; and
• local authorities and EHS should be aware of all the financial implications⁹ of coastal pollution and actions that can be taken for cost recovery.

8.5    Further advice is at Appendix J.

Hazardous substances
8.6    Some marine incidents may release hazardous substances that have the potential to threaten public health as well as cause at sea and shoreline pollution.  In such cases, MCA expects the NCP to run in parallel with, and dovetail into, existing protocols and major incident plans normally invoked when there is an incident involving hazardous substances onshore.  Under nationally agreed arrangements for dealing with disasters the police initially co-ordinate the land-based response and may establish a Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG) at a previously agreed location should they decide the scale of the incident warrants such an action.  MCA nominates a representative to attend the SCG meetings providing a link to the maritime response units.  More details are at Appendix J.

8.7    In 1974, local authority associations agreed that shoreline county councils would extend their oil spill contingency plans, in consultation with district councils, to cover emergencies arising from hazardous substances washed ashore.¹⁰

Radioactive materials
8.8    MCA’s response to an incident involving a ship carrying radioactive materials generally follows the same principles as its response to any other pollution incident.  However, if a ship operated by British Nuclear Fuels plc or by its subsidiary, Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited, is involved in an incident, the special arrangements agreed between the MCA and those companies apply.

8.9    Radioactive Material Transport, Dangerous Goods Division (DGD) in DfT is the UK’s Competent Authority responsible for approving package designs for the transport of radioactive materials.  Packages containing radioactive material are designed to demanding international standards.  DGD maintains expertise in package design and development and should be informed in the event of any incident involving the transport of radioactive materials.

8.10    See Appendix H for more information.

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