UK SOSREP proves successful

Conor Bays looks at the development of the single UK co-ordinator for salvage operations, SOSREP

States are becoming increasingly concerned about environmental damage caused by maritime incidents. 1999 saw the UK introduce the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) to try and produce a well-developed maritime response system. It is becoming clear there is a causal link between government intervention and the rising cost of salvage. The question to consider then is whether SOSREP is effective at dealing with maritime incidents and preventing pollution and, as a result, indirectly lowers costs and whether other states should be considering a similar system.