The Solent is that stretch of seaway separating the Hampshire Dorset coast from the Isle of Wight. It is one of the busiest sea routes in the United Kingdom. Approximately 134 shipping movements take place weekly into the Docks and Naval Base at Portsmouth, the Docks and Ocean Terminal in Southampton and the nearby Esso Oil Refinery. During the height of the summer season there are numerous local Ferry Services to and from the mainland and the Isle of Wight, which is a popular summer resort, and at weekends as many as 35,000 pleasure craft may be afloat. Major collision is rare and reflects the high standard of seamanship, local pilotage and strict port control, but the possibility of disaster is ever present in such a congested seaway.

To meet this eventuality the Solent and Southampton Water Marine Emergency Plan was developed from preexisting Southampton and Portsmouth schemes in the early 1960's. Since that time it has been put into action on three occasions for episodes of fire at sea, with good effect.