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By Claes WestmanExecutive Vice President, Claims, Skuldclaes.westman@skuld.comCURRENT/casualties swiftly and effectively.Over the years we have learnedthat the window of opportunity issmall and fleeting. We have to actfast with a hands-on approach.We also learned that we canrespond most swiftly and effectivelywith the use of fully empoweredinternal resources – and then callin other resources as necessary.With the Braer, we started thepractice of establishing a localclaims handling office near thesite in order to be connected tothe incident area and be closeto the claimants. We have alsoworked to facilitate mass productionof claims. And today’s ITsolutions have made it possibleto move even faster. In addition,we emphasise extensive useof dialogue with those involved– working for settlements andsolutions rather than litigationif at all possible.CASUALTY RESPONSEORGANISATIONSkuld’s casualty response organisationprovides fast, powerfulsupport. A flexible, dynamic approachmakes use of a CasualtyCoordinator from the member’ssyndicate. An initial on-site teamwill consist of a representativefrom the Skuld Risk Management& Loss Prevention Departmentand an internal Skuld maritimelawyer. They will be involved tocoordinate the surveying of thecasualty and work with externalresources – but even more importantly,assisting the member– in handling the incident.Other members of the Casualtyteam will include the relevantMember, representatives fromITOPF (International Tanker OwnersPollution Federation) and theIOPC (International Oil PollutionCompensation) Fund. In pollutioncases, ITOPF evaluates the overalldamage and consults on theenvironmental response. TheIOPC representative evaluatesthe level of compensation fromthe IOPC Fund, and in additionhas extensive experience inhandling such incidents.The Casualty Response Teamalso includes external local lawyersand specialised internationallegal support if necessary, andall other experts. The team willbe complemented by supportingresources from Skuld Head Officeor other Syndicates, as well as theSkuld EVP Claims, as necessary.This organisation allows Skuldto maintain maximum flexibilityas well as transferring and capitalisingon crucial emergencyresponse expertise within the Club.And this dynamic organisationpays off. Skuld was able to handletwo other major cases – Neftegaz67 and Und Adriyatik – at thesame time as we were managingthe Hebei Spirit.The Neftagaz 67, a supplyvessel, collided with a bulk carrieroff Hong Kong and rapidly sank,trapping a number of crew members.A complex wreck removaloperation followed.MEDIA RESPONSEIn cases of this size, mediaresponse is just as important ascasualty response. It is importantto get the story straight, especiallyunder pressure, where theperception of the shipowner’sreponse can affect the value andthe very survival of the company.This is another area where Skuldhas shown it can give strongsupport.READ MOREwww.skuld.com (Publications:Annual Review)3PHASECLAIMS &INCIDENTSWe help ourmembers improvetheir operationalperformance4MAJORINCIDENTSWe deal with thecrucial early stagesof a major eventand follow through5RE-ASSESS-MENTPHASEPHASEWe add to ourcase database andrefine our riskanalysis tools› ›BEACON / DECEMBER 2008 11