In addition to its other tasks, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has been active, in the field of marine pollution preparedness and response since mid-2004. The role of EMSA as a European Agency is to provide added value support to EU Member States and the European Commission. This paper provides the context in which the Agency carries out its range of spill response activities with regard to information, co-operation and co-ordination as well as operational support. Within this last category of activities, the paper details the main considerations and challenges of setting-up and maintaining a stand-by oil recovery vessel service available at short notice to all EU coastal states.1 Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency2 EMSA Work Programme (updated annually) is available from www.emsa.europa.eu