The United Kingdom Secretary of State’s representative for Maritime and Salvage Intervention (SOSREP) Hugh Shaw and the French Maritime authorities have decided to send a team of experts to inspect the MSC Flaminia.
To give these experts access to the ship it will be brought to a position 30 miles from the UK. This should enable the inspection team to board the vessel on Friday (subject to circumstances and weather conditions) to carry out a detailed inspection.
The team will include two internationally recognised experts specialising in marine salvage and fire fighting and a specialist fire fighting expert from the Prefecture Maritime.
The outcome of the inspection will be made available to all coastal States currently involved with the incident and will enable them to determine if there are any further requirements before the ship transits the English Channel en-route to German Territorial waters.
Hugh Shaw, SOSREP said:
“ Much has been done to stabilise the ship since the accident last month. The inspection team will be able to board the ship and carry out an expert analysis and evaluation. Their report will be passed to all the coastal States along the intended route to Germany and will assist with their decision making and approval processes. ”
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Source: Maritime and Coastguard Agency, August 22, 2012