Social Responsibility Beyond Environmentalism?

On Thursday 18th January, MSC Napoli, a cargo ship containing 2,400 containers of goods and dangerous chemicals was beached off the Devon coast. Although efforts by coastguards to remove 3,500 tonnes of oil from the ship are helping to alleviate a potential environmental disaster, the incident has also created another issue, with hundreds of people helping themselves to goods which have been washed ashore.

Goods taken by scavengers, have so far included, around 50 BMW motorcycles, wine casks, and perfume. Despite police efforts to encourage people to report goods that have been taken, some items have already started to appear on the online auction site, e-Bay.

Police and costal authorities have been quick to criticise the action of looters and have warned those taking goods that they could face prosecution under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

Despite such action, there has yet to be any form of comment from those companies which own the goods that have been washed ashore. In a year which looks set to be characterised by an increased emphasis on social responsibility, surely these companies should respond to the issue in some way.

Although not responsible for the shipwreck itself, companies such as BMW, could help to encourage looters which have taken goods, to co-operate with the relevant authorities. Assuming some degree of responsibility would be far better than simply ignoring the situation and allowing potentially damaged and dangerous products, to be sold on to unsuspecting consumers.