GovWire

The United Kingdom (UK) Government regards the potential pollution of our marine and coastal environment as a serious threat. As the size and displacement of commercial vessels increases, so the size of the offshore oil and gas industry increases. This in turn leads to an increasing risk of pollution incidents.

The NCP sets out:

• the arrangements for dealing with pollution, or the threat of pollution, spilled from ships and offshore installations
• the responsibilities of the Department for Transport, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, harbour authorities, offshore installations operators and other bodies with relevant functions

The Maritime and Coastguard Agencys Counter Pollution and Salvage Branch is the custodian of the NCP.