SPECIALIST WEST WALES COMPANY TO RUN UK’S CRACK POLLUTION RESPONSE TEAMS

A Milford Haven-based company has been awarded a major contract to run the crack teams of specialists that would be drafted in by the Government to deal with serious pollution incidents in UK territorial waters around the world.

Specialist incident response firm DV Howells, part of the Milford Haven Port Authority group of companies, has been awarded the contract by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

It will deliver the service from its head office at the Marine Pollution Salvage Centre (MPSC) in Milford Haven, over the next five years with its partner, spill response company Seacor Environmental Services International, part of the American company, SEACOR Holdings.

DV Howells has held similar contracts with the MCA’s Counter Pollution Branch since 1992, but this is the largest yet, covering shoreline response as well as “at-sea” incidents.

The company will store, maintain and mobilise the MCA's counter pollution and salvage equipment, fielding experienced teams nationally and overseas to operate it and offer specialist incident management expertise in the event of a pollution or salvage incident in UK territorial waters.

It will also support the MCA's Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Response Team, which is also operated by DV Howells Ltd in conjunction with another partner, United Salvage.

DV Howells will now set up regular exercises around the UK to maintain personnel familiarity with the equipment and rehearse response strategies for salvage and pollution incidents. Staff will also help the MCA’s Counter Pollution Branch with local authority training courses throughout the British Isles.

DV Howells’ Managing Director Simon Rickaby said, "The award of this contract recognises the considerable experience and resources DV Howells has in satisfying clients’ needs in very specialised but wide ranging markets. It also recognises the hard work that managers and operational staff of DV Howells have put in to ensure that DV Howells remains the class leader in incident response.”

Toby Stone of the MCA said the organisation’s visions were for safe lives, safer ships, and cleaner seas.

“The contract for the Government pollution and salvage stockpiles forms a pivotal role in ensuring a proactive prevention and response strategy,” he said. “MCA looks forward to working with DV Howells to achieve these visions.”