This order establishes the legal framework for the intervention of the Secretary of State in cases of maritime pollution incidents. The document outlines the specific powers granted to government authorities to prevent, mitigate, or eliminate pollution threats arising from shipping accidents. It serves as a regulatory instrument designed to enforce international standards regarding the protection of the marine environment from oil and chemical spills.

Legal professionals and maritime policy analysts utilize this text as a foundational regulatory reference for understanding the scope of state intervention in UK waters. The prose is strictly technical and follows the standard formatting of statutory instruments, requiring familiarity with administrative law terminology.