Stratex Aids in Clean-up of Solomon Islands’ Worst Oil Spill
Background
On February 5th, 2019, a catastrophic oil spill occurred off Rennell Island, part of the Solomon Islands, when the MV Solomon Trader, a bulk carrier, ran aground on a coral reef. The vessel was loading bauxite from a mine in Kangava Bay during Cyclone Oma, and the impact severely damaged the hull, leading to the release of 80 tonnes of oil into the surrounding marine environment.
This incident marked the worst oil spill in the nation’s history, devastating Rennell Island, which holds UNESCO World Heritage status as the world’s largest raised coral atoll. The spill site is also located within the Coral Triangle, often referred to as the “global center of biodiversity,” home to over 500 species of reef-building corals.
The Environmental Impact
The spill involved both gas oil and heavy oil. Gas oil, although highly toxic and fast to evaporate, posed an immediate danger to marine organisms, killing those that inhaled the fumes or absorbed the oil through their skin. Heavy oil, while less toxic, created long-lasting environmental harm. It coated the fur and feathers of marine animals, causing them to lose their ability to regulate body temperature, often resulting in death from hypothermia. Furthermore, animals could easily mistake oil for food, worsening the crisis.
Despite the urgency, fuel continued to leak from the wreck for more than a month due to difficult weather conditions. The delay heightened concerns about the long-term impact on the marine ecosystem and local communities dependent on these waters for their livelihoods.
The Response: Stratex’s Contribution
The Solomon Islands government called upon Resolve Marine Group, a leading international marine emergency specialist, to manage the clean-up operation. Resolve Marine Group, in turn, enlisted Stratex for essential supplies to mitigate the spill’s damage.
Having previously dealt with hazardous marine disasters, Stratex stepped in with a rapid response despite the unprecedented scale of this incident. Leveraging their stock holdings across Australian branches, Stratex provided essential materials such as absorbents, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and disposal products for the contaminated waste.
Materials Supplied for Clean-Up
To contain and clean the oil spill on both the water’s surface and along the shoreline, Stratex delivered:
- 51,000 Absorbent Mats
- 21,000 Hazardous Waste Disposal Bags
- 16,000 Cable Ties
- 6,000 Metres of Absorbent Boom
- 730 Oil Absorbent Snares
- 150 Absorbent Sweeps
- 75 Absorbent Rolls
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including Disposable Coveralls, Safety Gloves, and Gumboots to safeguard the clean-up crew from contamination.
Contaminated Waste Disposal Bag – Pack of 50Stratex Contaminated Waste Disposal Bags are designed for safe and secure disposal of contaminated waste and used absorbent materials. The extra-large 700mm x 900mm Bags feature heavy-duty polyethylene construction and have excellent chemical resistance. High-vis yellow in colour, and clearly marked as ˜Contaminated Waste” to ensure the contents are not mistaken as general rubbish. Bag Size: 700 x 900 mm
Oil & Fuel Absorbent Marine Boom 200mm x 3m (Pack of 4)Designed to absorb and contain hydrocarbon spills including oil, fuel, solvents, petrol & diesel, these marine booms repel water, meaning they are ideal for outdoor environments and when spills occur on waterways.
The Oil & Fuel Abosrbent Marine Booms are highly effective for containing oil spills in water applications such as streams, rivers and lakes, as well as wet weather situations, due to their ability to float even when they are saturated with oil. These spills could occur from generators or earth moving equipment working near water, or boats, barges and dredges
.
Marine Booms can be linked together to form a longer barrier with their simple but strong clip locks, allowing rapid emergency response.
Booms are constructed with a strong mesh outer sleeve to resist snags and debris, and an internal rope for added strength when linked to other booms. This encases the absorbent filling made from premium meltblown polypropylene.
Oil & Fuel Heavyweight Absorbent Pads (Pack of 100)Designed to absorb and contain hydrocarbon spills including oil, fuel, solvents, petrol & diesel. These absorbents repel water, meaning they are ideal for outdoor environments and when spills occur on waterways such as drains, ports, marinas, harbours, lakes and rivers. The hydrophobic (water repellent) absorbents will float even when fully saturated with oil. Super absorbent pads are used to absorb and clean up oil and fuel spills, leaks and drips. Perforations allow them to be easily divided so you can get the right size pad for the spill and prevent wastage. Bonded to provide maximum strength – Premium quality and fast absorbing Sold in an easy-to-use dispenser box, or plastic wrapped for cost effectiveness.
Fortret Safety Glasses – Smoke (Pack 12)
The Stratex Fortret Safety Glasses are the ultimate all-day eye protection from harmful projectiles and particles. Featuring lightweight frames that stay comfortable for long periods of time and soft, flexible grip pads to keep glasses in position on the head, they are a delight to use.No longer sacrifice looks for safety; the sports style Fortret glasses with sleek black arm don’t give the wearer the typical geeky look of safety glasses. Longer lasting and durable, the anti-scratch, hard coat lenses can withstand the toughest environments. The polycarbonate lens also offer medium impact protection in compliance with AS/NZS 1337.
The ultimate eye protection, the Fortret safety glasses will protect delicate eyes from harmful UV rays with 99.9% UV protection. Depending on the light conditions, there is a choice of 3 types of lenses; clear, smoke and amber. Each pack contains 12 pairs and a carton contains 300 pairs.
PVC Chemical Resistant Gloves 27cmProduct features:
:: Single dipped PVC construction
:: Cotton interlock liner for easy donning
:: Resistant to oil, grease and chemicalsRecommended for:
:: Refining & Petrochemical Industries
:: Fishing, Mining & Construction Environments
:: Refuse & Waste Management
Oil & Fuel Heavyweight Absorbent Roll – 1m x 40mOil & Fuel Heavyweight Rolls are bonded to provide extra strength, meaning they will never come apart, even when fully saturated with oil. Heavyweight rolls are 380gsm thick and 40m long. They are perforated along the centre as well as across the width so they can be easily separated according to usage, minimising waste. Premium quality, these rolls are super absorbent and super strong!
Oil & Fuel Absorbent SweepDesigned to absorb and contain hydrocarbon spills including oil, fuel, solvents, petrol & diesel. , These absorbents repel water, meaning they are ideal for outdoor environments and when spills occur on waterways such as drains, ports, marinas, harbours, lakes and rivers. The hydrophobic (water repellent) absorbents will float even when fully saturated with oil.
Perfect for removing the final sheen from oil spills on water after the bulk clean-up has taken place. The Sweep is dragged over the surface of the water, and the highly absorbent fibres capture the remaining oil slick or sheen. 30 metres in length, the Oil & Fuel Sweep has a reinforced webbing fixed to the front edge to provide the strength required for the movement across the water without tearing.
Microporous Coveralls, Type 5 / 6 – X-Large- Excellent Type 5/6 protection barrier against dry particles (including asbestos fibres), liquid aerosols, light spray and splashes
- Soft and light, the microporous material facilitates ease of movement
- 2-way zipper with covering flap for extra protection and ease of use
- 3-panel hood allows additional PPE to be worn without interference
- Elastic cuffs, waist, ankles and hood for increased protection
The Class 5/6 coveralls are ideal for the following applications:
- Paint spraying & powder coating
- Coating & Resin applications
- Light industrial cleaning
- Machine maintenance
- Asbestos inspection & removal
- Site preparation, insulation
- Cement manufacturing
- Grinding & polishing
- Pharmaceutical processing and handling toxic powders
Outcome
With these supplies, Resolve Marine Group was able to respond quickly and effectively to the spill, minimizing the environmental damage and ensuring the safety of those involved in the clean-up efforts.
Shannon Harris, General Manager at Stratex, commented on the company’s role in the operation: “As a team who loves to spend time on the water, particularly fishing, we’re always saddened to see these types of marine disasters. We had the stockholdings of environmental products to quickly supply Resolve Marine Group so they could effectively and efficiently respond to the spill.”
Looking Forward
The Solomon Islands spill underscored the devastating effects that marine oil spills can have on vulnerable ecosystems and communities. While Stratex hopes such disasters never happen again, the company remains committed to providing critical environmental protection products whenever needed, driven by the belief that protecting the environment and local communities is paramount.
Conclusion
The swift, large-scale response by Stratex played an integral role in mitigating the damage caused by the largest oil spill in Solomon Islands’ history. Through their rapid supply of essential materials, Stratex helped ensure that the clean-up was both effective and efficient, providing much-needed support to Resolve Marine Group during a time of environmental crisis.