Dear Sirs,
In its report of 3 May the International Atomic Energy Agency described the situation at the Fukushima nuclear plant as follows:
“Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant remains very serious.”
While it is reported that on 5 May workers entered a Fukushima reactor building for the first time since the tsunami, it appears likely that a complete shutdown of the plant may take many months to achieve.
The answers to frequently asked questions in our Notice to Members No 6 of 2011/12 are likely therefore to remain relevant for some time and trading of vessels in the area is likely to continue to be affected by radioactivity risks.
Members who have Class 2 cover may wish to use it to obtain advice or ask the Club to cover legal and related costs in respect of actual or potential disputes in connection with nuclear risks arising from the Fukushima accident. Unlike defence cover offered by some other insurers, the West of England’s cover does not contain and has never contained any exclusion or limitation in relation to nuclear risks nor any conditions of cover for those risks which are different from the conditions applicable to other risks in respect of which Class 2 cover is provided.
Class 2 Members who require advice or assistance in relation to actual or potential disputes relating to nuclear risks in general and the present situation in Japan in particular should therefore not hesitate to contact the Managers as necessary.
Yours faithfully
For: West of England Insurance Services (Luxembourg) S.A.
(As Managers)
R J B Searle
Director