Ignazio Messina provides its perspective

THE ITALIAN shipping line, Ignazio Messina, has spelt out its role in the attempted salvage of its fire-stricken vessel the MV Jolly Rubino which is currently aground on the north coast of Kwa Zulu Natal. As soon as the incident was reported in the early hours of September 11 the line appointed the ship salvage specialists, Smit Marine, to begin the salvage operations under the international Lloyds Open Form 2000. To ensure the smooth running of this emergency, Messina head office in Genoa set up a crisis team to monitor the progress of the situation, closely liaising with its local representative in SA, Captain Roberto Del Vecchio, and the line's specialist, two-man technical team. As soon as the ship was driven aground by the bad weather, the SA team Ð with a better knowledge of the vessel's engine and structure - was sent to the site to analyse the situation and to co-ordinate all the necessary procedures with the Smit Marine technical team. Also, when informed of possible environmental pollution caused by the fuel on board, the line immediately contacted an expert on marine pollution, Dr Michael O'Brien of ITOPF (International Tanker Owners Pollution Fund), who visited the site and analysed the situation in detail. Ignazio Messina is the second largest ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off) owner in the world, with all its vessels flying the Italian flag, and entirely crewed by Italian personnel. All hold safety certificates under the STCW International Convention and according to the SMS Safety Code. "The safety of the ship, of the crew, of the goods and of the environment have always been the objective and priority for the operational structure of Ignazio Messina," said a company spokesman. It is interesting to note that, prior to the accident, the Jolly Rubino was inspected on August 5 at the port of Marseilles by the French authorities and passed the safety requirements of the Port State Control procedures.