Press article: benefits of the NTVRP revealed

A phone call from the master at four o’clock in the morning saying your containership has run aground in US waters and is spilling oil may be one of your “nightmare” scenarios. The requirement since 30 January 2014 that non-tank vessels trading in US waters must submit vessel response plans (NTVRPs) with the US Coast Guard, ensures shipowners should at least have the initial systems in place for dealing with a major casualty. However, owners need to appreciate the number of parties who may become involved and your P&I Club must have a strong grip on the necessity and costs of the resources deployed.

Philip Stephenson, Regional Claims Director in Piraeus, outlines the stages of dealing with a casualty in US waters in this article for Maritime Risk International. The full article is available on their website.