In Business

On November 13 SOL ANTILLES N.V. organised training sessions for staff of Marinas where Sol has fuelling facilities. The training consisted of two sections, the first focused on the actual Marina operations and procedures and the second part concentrated on oil spill training.

The marina operations training is organised on an annual basis and takes place each year just prior to the start of the marina high season. This year for the first time the oil spill training was added as a separate session.  Fire Extinguisher training for Marinas (and service stations) was conducted in September and October with the help of the St. Maarten Fire Department.

The locally developed Sol Marina Operations and Procedures Manual is used as a guideline for the training session. Course subjects include Sol’s HSSE (Health Safety Security and Environment) Policies, Marina receipt and delivery procedures, storage and handling procedures including inventory control and emergency procedures.

The oil spill training consists of two parts. The first being a classroom session and the second a practical session where the oil spill equipment is actually deployed. Sol has a quick response oil spill cart which can be deployed without delay in case of an oil spill. With the assistance of Island Water World Marina the practical session took place at its facility. During the practical session the use of the oil skimmer was demonstrated. An oil skimmer is a machine that has the capacity to remove floating oil from water. The oil adheres to the rotating skimmer discs allowing it to be collected and removed from the environment.  In addition, oil spill booms were deployed using the support vessels of Island Water World, and La Palapa Marina to demonstrate “U” and “J” formation boom deployment and containment. These are different containment boom formations that can be utilized depending on the type of recovery operation.

The Training was attended by staff members of Bobby’s Marina, Island Water World Marina, La Palapa Marina and IGY Marinas.  Several government and environmental agencies were also invited to attend the oil spill training session. Three members from the Inspection Department/Vromi were present.

Safety is very important to Sol as a result, the Company makes every effort to ensure its staff and associates are adequately trained.