National and local co-ordination: Quick, efficient co-ordination
between the ship and coastal State or other involved parties becomes
vital in mitigating the effects of a pollution incident. The Plan
should address the need to contact the coastal State for authorization
prior to undertaking mitigating actions (see paragraph
1.4.7).
2.6.1 The identities and roles of various national
and local authorities involved vary widely from State to State and
even from port to port. Approaches to responsibility for discharge
response also vary. Some coastal States have agencies that take charge
of response immediately and subsequently bill the owner for the cost.
In other coastal States, responsibility for initiating response is
placed on the shipowner. In the case of the latter the Plan will require
greater detail and guidance to assist the master in organizing this
response.