In large part, the same NSW Maritime team who lead the management of the YM Efficiency spill in 2018 have also taken responsibility for managing the APL England debris after that ship lost 50 containers off the NSW South Coast in May.
More than two thirds of the staff who managed the fallout from YM Efficiency are currently working on the APL England, NSW Maritime Acting Executive Director Alex Barrell said.
"There is a lot of community concern whenever there is a marine pollution incident like this," Mr Barrell said.
"We understand how traumatising it is to see face masks and air conditioning ducting on your favourite beach instead of shells and seaweed, but we can reassure the community this is exactly what we train multiple times a year for. This is what we do.
Mr Barrell said members of the community may also be reassured to know it is not the taxpayers of NSW who foot the bill for large-scale marine pollution incidents.
"There are legal mechanisms to recover the costs and we are working with the ship's owners and insurers who will be ultimately responsible for reimbursing the NSW Government costs."
Fifteen of the 50 containers which fell from the ship have been recovered, with a helicopter being used today to remove difficult to reach container pieces from the rocks at Crackneck Point near Bateau Bay.
"While the reports of debris and containers have slowed considerably in recent days, we will continue to maintain our resourcing as part of our commitment and responsibilities in maintaining our pristine coastline," Mr Barrell said.
Members of the public who witness any suspected debris or shipping containers on NSW beaches should contact the NSW Maritime Info Line 13 12 36 - select Option 2 or report via email to incident@transport.nsw.gov.au.
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