The bulk carrier Solomon Trader is possible to be refloated and towed from the reef at Lavagu Bay, West Rennell, Solomon Islands. The operation could take place within a couple of weeks, according to the National Disaster Council (NDC).
The Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier ‘Solomon Trader’ was loading bauxite when it ran aground due to unexpected gale at Kangava Bay, Rennell Island, on 4 February, causing an environmental disaster.
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More than 70 tonnes of oil were dumped into the ocean, causing a three-mile slick in Kangava Bay which experts said was likely to cause long-term damage to the local ecosystem.
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.
The Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration’s indicated that the number of crew members on night watch might have been a factor contributing to the incident, with reports of the Solomon Trader crew being absent from the vessel or intoxicated at the time of the grounding being denied.
