SOSREP

SOSREP is the UK Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention, an official empowered to act in the overriding public interest during a shipping or offshore casualty that threatens UK waters, coastline, or interests. The role was created after Lord Donaldson’s 1994 inquiry into the Braer grounding and given statutory backing through the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and intervention powers under the Marine Safety Act 2003. SOSREP can direct salvage, designate a place of refuge, and override owners or salvors without waiting for ministerial consent, exercising powers rooted in the 1969 Intervention Convention.