Norway leads on ports of refuge

Norwegian authorities are better prepared than most to reach a “quick and rational” decision on whether a vessel in distress should be sent further out to sea or allowed to enter a place of refuge, according to a leading maritime lawyer.

Trond Eilertsen, a partner at Oslo-based law firm Wikborg Rein, says that, in addition to implementing most measures being discussed by the International Maritime Organisation’s navigation safety committee, Norway has carried out a thorough coastline survey to identify places of refuge.

And, he says, under 1981 anti-pollution legislation, Norway has put one agency, the Coastal Directorate’s Department for Emergency Response, in charge of handling vessels in distress.

Norway’s system was tested with the grounding of John R in late 2000; the panamax bulker broke in two off the north coast, and Norwegian authorities granted the owner’s request for refuge in a sheltered fjord, where the resulting minor oil spill was contained.

Norway is now making formal casualty-handling plans, in line with the European Union’s Erica II directive.

Says Eilertsen: “In my experience it is of utmost importance that local authorities have considered the possible scenarios so a quick and correct decision can be made on whether a particular casualty should be ordered out to sea or granted shelter.”