When a vessel runs into difficulty in UK waters, lives, the environment and property are all often put at great risk. Rapidly unfolding maritime emergency situations call for informed decisions to be made promptly by a skilled and experienced individual with the full authority of government. The UK SOSREP is vested with that authority.
Why do we need a SOSREP?
The SOSREP provides strategic oversight of a maritime incident on behalf of the UK Government.
The individual role holder has ultimate control and legal power to make a final decision during national maritime emergencies. It is a powerful and unique role within the UK Government’s maritime emergency response system.
What’s its aim?
The SOSREP’s objective is to reduce the risk to safety and marine pollution, and they may also become involved directly in operational oversight, giving reassurance to the UK Government that all necessary steps are being taken relating to salvage or pollution containment.
Time-critical decisions can be made without delay, as the Secretary of State’s powers are delegated to SOSREP and decisions that are in the overriding UK public interest can be made quickly.
What sort of maritime emergencies involve SOSREP?
Maritime emergencies can be complex, involving multiple agencies, specialists, authorities, and stakeholder groups.
Emergencies can include significant shipping and offshore incidents, such as collisions or ship groundings, that may cause pollution.
SOSREP steps in at an early stage to oversee incident response management, from the emergency’s outset to long-lasting wreck removal operations.
When was the role created and why?
The role was created after the Sea Empress oil tanker disaster in 1996. After the incident’s response, a government review recommended that one individual should be given ultimate control and influence in making the final decisions during national maritime emergencies.
Who is the current SOSREP and who do they report to?
Stephan Hennig has been SOSREP since 2018. The Deputy SOSREP is Lisa McAuliffe.
SOSREP is an employee of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, reporting to the Director of HM Coastguard and the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning.
What organisations does SOSREP work with?
SOSREP works with multiple organisations depending on the nature of the incident.
These include HM Coastguard, Environment Agencies, ship owners and operators, protection and indemnity and hull and machinery insurers, local authorities, marine consultants, lighthouse authorities, specialist rescue contractors, statutory nature conservation bodies, lawyers, emergency services, cargo owners, and communications through the media.
What does a typical incident look like for the SOSREP?
SOSREP will act and oversee the response to an incident from start to finish. Firstly, the risk to safety is assessed and evaluated, along with the risk of actual or potential pollution.
The remit ensures that all steps are taken to prevent or respond to any escalation of the incident. Once the incident is resolved, SOSREP will take the lead in reviewing the overall response and making any necessary recommendations for future improvements.
Does SOSREP have international authority?
The SOSREP’s legal powers extend to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone for shipping incidents and to the limits of the UK Continental Shelf for offshore installation incidents.
SOSREP is listed as an emergency contact for the UK and close working relationships are held with international authorities so that international incidents can be swiftly resolved.
