ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the laws governing the response to an incident both by private commercial interests and by public authorities who intervene to prevent pollution or other environmental damage, or to control any clean-up operations. An overview is provided of the initial stages of an incident involving reporting and seeking assistance followed by a description of the requirements applicable to vessel response planning and the intervention rights exercised by states. The rules and practices relating to ports and places of refuge are considered. The chapter concludes with an examination of the 1990 Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation.
