The Solomon Islands prime minister asked Australia for help to clean up an environmental disaster after oil was spilled from the bulk carrier MV Solomon Trader, that ran aground on a coral reef near a world heritage area.
The MV Solomon Trader was loading bauxite when due to rough seas, it ran aground at Kangava Bay, Rennell Island, on 4 February. The East Rennell world heritage site is the largest raised coral atoll in the world. Since 2013 the site has been on a UNESCO danger list because of logging and overfishing.
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Now, according to sources, heavy fuel oil can be smelt from as far as 800 metres from the vessel. In addition, discoloured brown water was notices about 600 metres south east. What is more, the oil leak could get worse at low tide, as then the oil is going directly onto the exposed reef.
MV Solomon Trader was not able to proceed anywhere using its own power and would have to be towed.
On February 19, AMSA was preparing to deploy a military plane, equipped with clean-up gear, while a naval ship with equipment was also possible to be diverted. Australia has also sent a surveillance plane to the area.