29/09/2026
How do you turn a 60-year-old industrial ship into a safe, thriving home for marine life? You have to clean it—perfectly. 🌊⚓
Before the historic MV Andrew Wilson could be safely sunk to become South Australia’s newest artificial reef, it had to meet zero-tolerance EPA environmental standards. Our team at Industrial Clean SA spent six intense days in Port Adelaide making sure this vessel was completely decontaminated from top to bottom.
Here is a quick look at how we got the job done:
1. Tackling the Tanks: Our crew safely navigated confined spaces to clean out three large diesel tanks, which had a combined capacity of around 35,000 litres. We also fully cleaned out the fresh-water tanks.
2. Clearing the Engine Room: We fully decontaminated the main engine room and the mechanical workshop. While in there, our team physically hauled out about one tonne of heavy solid debris, including old steel brackets, cut pipes, and gaskets.
3. Hot Wash & Extraction: To cut through decades of heavy oil and sludge, we used industrial degreasers and hot-water pressure washers set to 70–90°C. We continuously vacuumed up the dirty wastewater during the process so nothing was left behind to recontaminate the area.
In environmental preparation, you have to prove your work. To guarantee the tanks were safe for the ocean, we used the strict "white rag test". By the final inspection, wiping a pure white, lint-free rag across the inside of those tanks picked up absolutely zero oil or diesel residue
A massive shoutout to our hardworking site crew for a flawless job, and to Maritime Constructions for trusting us to prepare this piece of SA maritime history for the seabed!
If you have a complex project that requires industrial cleaning to the highest compliance standards, let’s talk.
📞 Call us: 08 7119 4180
✉️ Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: industrialcleansa.com.au
📍 HQ: 169 South Terrace, Wingfield SA 5013
