'There is a hot dispute over whether it is best to "receive" the vessel at a sheltered location where the ship could be saved at the price of local environmental damage or to order the vessel further offshore. The latter choice extended the period of leakage on the open sea and may well have contributed to the eventual break-up and loss of the Prestige by prolonged exposure to the full force of hostile Atlantic weather. There is also the point, argued by some, that a deepwater sinking may well be the best environmental outcome in the circumstances.

'Whatever the rights or wrongs of such arguments, the important point is that in every casualty situation there is a best environmental option which can be identified through risk assessment by experts, particularly the salvors.

It is dangerous, from both environmental and political perspectives, to ignore the views of experts when taking decisions which can have one of two outcomes: success in keeping oil in the ship or a catastrophic loss of cargo.'

Earlier this year, the ISU made a series of proposals to the IMO's Safety of Navigation Subcommittee, a body charged with the production of international guidelines on places of refuge.

One proposal called for physical inspection of the vessel by the authorities before any decision is taken on granting a place of refuge. A second proposal called for the evaluation of consequences should a request for shelter be refused. A third proposal called for a panel of experts to be established, to assist in the risk assessment which should govern the decisions taken when considering a request for refuge.

Here, due weight should be given to the salvor's expertise in evaluating the condition of casualties.

Joop Timmermans added, 'The ISU is to make a further submission to the IMO calling for work on the new guidelines to be accelerated. In addition, we will repeat our call for acceptance of the ISU proposals.

Our experts stand ready to provide expert input to help governments confronted with dilemmas such as that faced by the Spanish in recent weeks.

'We will also make proposals to the European Commission on this issue and, secondly, the need for more effective 'command and control' arrangements in major casualty situations. The ISU favours the UK system. This recognises that the Salvage Master should retain his traditional operational command of the salvage while, at the same time, accepting that the public interest should be represented. In the UK, this responsibility is in the hand's of the Secretary of State's Representative (SOSREP). The SOSREP is empowered to take decisions on his government's behalf. The advantage of this system is that the crucial decision making is confined to two individuals, both of whom understand salvage. We believe the EU and, indeed, the IMO should recognise the value of the UK model as a template for adoption worldwide.'