Claims and Compensation workshop, Rome, Italy, 24-25 January 2013

Chiara Della Mea, Claims Manager, ran a national workshop for Coast Guard personnel and other relevant agencies and departments of the Italian Government on issues relating to the admissibility of claims under the international civil liability and compensation regime. The workshop was opened by the Vice-Commander of the Italian Coast guard, Admiral (CP) Vincenzo Melone. It focused on improving the understanding of the compensation system for future incidents and included a speech by the Director-General of the Department for the Protection of nature and the sea, Mr Renato Grimaldi and presentations from representatives of Thomas Miller (UK Club), ITOPF and the IOPC Funds.
The workshop was well received by its 30 participants. Particularly useful contacts were made with personnel who would be responsible for the initial response to a spill and who had no previous experience of the international system. There was a significant level of participation throughout the presentations and during the exercise and positive feedback has been received since the event.