The European Maritime Safety Agency want to launch and decelop a service for a/many standby oil-spill recovery vessel(s). In accordance with EMSA's 'Action plan for oil pollution preparedness and response of 2004' identified how to implement this task with regard to pollution caused by oil spills at sea. The action plan, as updated by subsequent EMSA work programmes, highlighted the necessity for a network of oil-recovery vessels. Consequently, contracts have been established for at-sea oil-recovery services in the Baltic Sea, along the Atlantic Coast and in the Mediterranean Sea.

EMSA is an Agency whose main objective is to provide technical and scientific assistance to the European Commission and Member States in the proper development and implementation of EU legislation on maritime safety, pollution by ships and security on board ships.