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Measures available to Member States in the event of a threat to maritime safety and the protection of the environment (pursuant to Article 19(1)) Where, following an incident or circumstance of the type described in Article 17 affecting a ship, the competent authority of the Member State concerned deems, within the framework of international law, that it is necessary to avert, lessen or remove a serious and imminent threat to its coastline or related interests, the safety of other ships and their crews and passengers or of persons on shore or to protect the marine environment, that authority may, in particular:

(a) restrict the movement of the ship or direct it to follow a specific course. This requirement does not affect the master’s responsibility for the safe handling of his ship;

(b) give official notice to the master of the ship to put an end to the threat to the environment or maritime safety;

(c) send an evaluation team aboard the ship to assess the degree of risk, help the master to remedy the situation and keep the competent coastal station informed thereof;

(d) instruct the master to put in at a place of refuge in the event of imminent peril, or cause the ship to be piloted or towed. In the case of a ship which is towed under a towage or salvage agreement, the measures taken by the competent authority of a Member State under points (a) and (d) may be also addressed to the assistance, salvage and towage companies involved.