We had a well-attended and interesting networking event in Bristol. The very heavy rain was an irritant dispelled by the bright and cheery ‘Ambipar Green’, which dominates the colour scheme of their refurbished offices and training rooms.
John Tulloch and Andrew Lopez were generous hosts and accommodated a base tour showing the range of equipment they hold as well as their confined space training facility.
We had a series of presentations with the highlight being a frank report on the role Ambipar played in the MV Solong and MV Stena Immaculate allision off Grimsby on 10 March 2025. Andrew Lopez accompanied salvors on their initial visits to the Solong and used video he took to show some of the hazards encountered in this feeder container vessel. It was a fascinating insight into dynamic risk assessment.
It was good to hear from Dr Polly Hill on the work of IPIECA’s marine spill group and their lates publication on alternative fuels available at https://www.ipieca.org/resources/alternative-fuels-response-fact-sheets
We had a group discussion on Response to Alternative Fuels and agreed to form a small but perfectly formed marine responder group to collaborate on response solutions.
Darcy presented their products for spill prevention, containment and recovery, and EcoCoast presented their silt and debris barriers and data collection buoys.
It was a good event, after which a brief stop at the Lamplighters, Shirehampton, seemed a fitting end to a positive networking event.
Our next Regional Networking Event is in Newmarket on 19 March 2026