COURSEWORK ASSESSMENT 2007-08 ADMIRALTY LAW LLM Consider the following facts The Tripoli, a container vessel carrying about 2,400 containers of mixed cargo, approached her discharge port, Southampton (the UK). The vessel had intended to make for a marked buoy just outside the port, and anchor there, until being given authority by the port authorities to proceed to her berth. Unfortunately, due to the master being unfamiliar with the double tide occurring in Southampton, the vessel got into difficulties and collided with The Seeker, a car carrier, which was leaving the port. The damage caused to The Seeker was extensive, with all her cargo being lost. The master and crew of The Seeker had to be rescued by a passing passenger ferry on route to the nearby Isle of Wight. The Tripoli also sustained extensive damage, and many of the containers on board were lost. Some containers washed up on a beach on the Isle of Wight, and their contents, which included pesticides, were strewn about. The local police, being anxious that there should be no spread of these pesticides and no general looting of the containers’ contents, closed off the beach area. The Tripoli was by this time listing badly, having developed long gashes on each side just above the water line, and the Coast Guard had to mount a rescue of the master and crew. The tug company operating in Southampton responded quickly and surrounded both vessels with oil-protection booms to protect the sea and port area from any possible pollution caused by escape from the vessels’ bunkers, and potentially hazardous or polluting contents of the containers on The Tripoli. The masters of both stricken vessels agreed to proceed on LOF 2000. Salvage teams were appointed by the respective owners of the stricken vessels on LOF 2000 terms. The weather throughout this time was stormy, making the rescue operations quite dangerous. Both vessels were, however, eventually rescued and towed into Southampton. The Tripoli was at the time of the above incident on time charter to X, and owned by O, who owns several ships. X operates as a one-ship owning company, chartering extra tonnage when needed. The Seeker was in fact subsequently sold quickly to a shipbuilder who has in the past carried out ship repairs to vessels owned by its owner. The task – answer ALL THREE questions (submission Monday 12th May) : (a) What non-cargo related liabilities arise from the above facts? (1500 words) (b) How should any injured parties effect their claims? (1000 words) (c) Critically evaluate the extent to which the LOF 2000 facilitates salvage claims. (500 words) THE END