MCA Small Vessel Chartering Provision

Counter Pollution is one of His Majesty's Coastguards (HMCG) Seven Functions and the Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) branch operates as the UK Competent Authority with specific responsibility for Counter Pollution preparedness and responding to at-sea pollution from shipping and offshore installations within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the management of the UK Government’s stockpiles of equipment and dispersant.

It is tasked to:

• Protect public Health
• Prevent pollution occurring by minimising the risk of pollution from ships and offshore installations;
• Determine any actual, or threat of, environmental impact and, where pollution occurs:
• Minimise the impact on the UK waters, the UK EEZ, coastlines and economic interest. Take the lead in responding to pollution at sea from ships and/or monitor the at-sea-clean up contracted by ship owners/insurers;