From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, April 14, 2008

Professor Ian Mercer CBE has been appointed as the independent chairman of the MSC Napoli local public inquiry.

Prof Mercer, 75 has a long and distinguished career specialising in rural conservation and environmental issues.

He has lived in Devon since 1959, for more than half that time in Moretonhampstead.

Before settling in Devon Professor Mercer served in the Royal Navy, where he learned ship-handling in an aircraft carrier, and became a Navigating Officer of a mine-sweeper. It was his Navy career that brought Prof Mercer to the south west coastline.

His career includes some noticeable 'firsts'.

In his early days in Devon, Prof Mercer was the first Warden of the coastal nature reserve at Slapton Ley, and later the first Chief Officer for the Dartmoor National Park Authority.

In 1990 he was appointed as the first Chief Executive of the Countryside Council of Wales, tasked with combining the then Nature Conservancy Council and the Countryside Commission in the Principality.

In 1995 Prof Mercer was awarded the CBE for 'services to the environment in Wales' and he is honorary Professor of Rural Conservation Practice in the University of Wales.

In 1996 he became the first Secretary General of the Association of National Park Authorities, a position he retired from in 2001.

His current roles include Chairman of the South West Forest Partnership, Chairman of the Dartmoor Commoners Council, Chairman of the South West Uplands Federation, President of Devon Wildlife Trust and he has been Chairman of Devon Rural Network since 2003.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and a Fellow of the Landscape Institute.

Another notable 'first' in Prof Mercer's distinguished career has been his leadership as independent Chairman of the Devon Foot and Mouth Inquiry in 2001. That Inquiry was the first and only major public inquiry into that epidemic and the first of its kind to be organised by local government.

Many of that Inquiry's findings were subsequently adopted by the Government in its national contingency planning for animal diseases outbreaks.

Commenting on his appointment as independent Chairman of the MSC Napoli inquiry, Prof Mercer said:

"I am honoured to be asked to chair the inquiry into the aftermath of the foundering of the MSC Napoli. From the decision to tow the vessel into Lyme Bay right up to now, many questions have arisen, from maritime law and container ship practice, to the very local and very domestic.

"In all of that time much has been done, and what was done well and what was done less well must both be registered.

"This Inquiry must seek all the answers available, and register with governments the outstanding questions.

"It must also give a platform to as many local people as possible so that they can make their views, frustrations and their advice for the future known, and to have them recorded.

"While it is most appropriate that the only County Council with two distinct coastlines in its care should lead what must be an all-embracing inquiry, the outcome should interest coastal local authorities and appropriate agencies on all sides of the Western Approaches."

The Leader of Devon County Council, Cllr Brian Greenslade has welcomed the appointment. He said:

"Professor Mercer's experience in environmental issues, his Naval background, and his experience of the public inquiry process, is vital for this Committee. I am very pleased that he has accepted the appointment.

"The next step is the formation of the Committee itself that Professor Mercer will lead."

The Council's Executive Member for Environment, and Branscombe resident, Cllr Margaret Rogers, said:

"I am delighted that Professor Mercer has accepted this responsibility. It will hearten people to know that someone of his outstanding reputation will be leading the Enquiry and that his involvement will give consistency to the two most important investigations into events that have had such an impact on our lives and environment.

"Professor Mercer's Naval and maritime experience are a further bonus for the success and relevance of the Enquiry."

The Council is encouraging local authorities, Government departments and agencies, businesses and landowners, communities, their elected representatives, environmental and conservation bodies, the general public and any interested party to contribute their views throughout the Spring.

Specially designed webpages are live on Devon County Council's website www.devon.gov.uk for people to contribute their comments to the inquiry. The pages include background to the incident, details about the inquiry, and a response form.

Inquiry response packs are also available from libraries, local government offices, schools, town and parish councils, and local County Councillors. People can also request response packs from the Council's Inquiry coordinating office on 01392 380101.

The purpose of the inquiry is to learn lessons to inform local and national contingency plans to minimise the potential for an incident similar to the MSC Napoli reoccurring, and for authorities to be better prepared to minimise any impact of future incidents.

The evidence gathering, which was launched last month, is the first stage of the inquiry. All the evidence will be catalogued and prepared for the new Chairman and Committee of Inquiry, who may also invite witnesses to recount or expand upon their written submissions at subsequent hearings in public.

Findings of the Committee will be made public and shared locally and nationally with Ministers.