STATEMENT: Operation Render Safe successfully disposes UXOs on Nauru
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, 17 August 2022
Operation Render Safe
successfully disposes UXOs on Nauru
The governments of Nauru and
Australia are working together in Operation Render Safe to dispose
of unexploded ordnance (UXO) found on Nauru. This is the
continuation of the first Operation Render Safe mission undertaken
in Nauru in 2020.
A total of eight UXOs were safely
and successfully disposed of at a secure site at Topside today,
Wednesday 17 August. Three of which have been described by the
Australian Defence Force (ADF) as dangerous.
Two final items will be disposed of
tomorrow and are considered significantly more dangerous. The
public is strongly advised to stay away from Topside tomorrow.
Today was the first of the two-day
operation. The ADF (including one Royal Solomon Islander Police
Force team member), Nauru Police Force (NPF) and the Australian
Federal Police (AFP) are working together to ensure the operation
is carried out safely.
NPF cordoned off the surrounding
area and will do the same for tomorrow's operation.
Australian aircrafts including
helicopters surveying the area from above are to ensure no-one
enters the area while the operation is taking place.
Australian navy ship HMAS Canberra
can also be seen off the coast in Aiwo, while HMAS Warramunga is
further offshore and not visible. The aircrafts and ships are here
to support the operation due to the activity being dangerous for
the personnel involved and to quickly respond to any calls for
assistance by the team conducting the disposal.
The Nauru Port Authority advises
fishermen to stay away from the ships at all times especially the
stern area.
Small fishing boats are to maintain
proper lookout and proceed at low speed and with caution.
Radio communication with Nauru Port
can be made on VHF radio channels 72 and 16.
The Aiwo boat harbour is a
restricted area during working hours, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Operation Render Safe is the
Australian Defence Force's (ADF) series of activities that aims to
safely dispose of World War II-vintage explosive remnants of war
from South Pacific island nations. Operations occur approximately
annually, or in response to an urgent request from a Pacific Island
nation.
Operation Render Safe is normally
undertaken by Australian Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
teams and / or Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers. These teams
are supported by a range of ADF assets such as Hydrographic Survey
Ships, Amphibious Landing craft, helicopters and other fix winged
aircraft.
The activities involve extensive
community engagement preparation in the months leading up to a
mission to educate local populations about safe explosive handling
and disposal procedures.
The ADF assisted Nauru in 2020 as
part of Operation Render Safe however was unable to undertake any
in-country additional activities due to COVID-19 travel
restrictions.
ENDS///