A 17,000-tonne oil rig that has been stranded on the coast of the Isle of Lewis for more than two weeks has been towed to a secure location after being successfully refloated.
The semi-submersible rig, Transocean Winner, ran aground close to Dalmore beach near Carloway, on Lewis, on 8 August. It was being towed from Norway to Malta when a towline snapped in rough seas.
It has now arrived in Broad Bay on the east coast of Lewis, after being refloated on Monday night and towed for 54 miles around the north of the island, where it will remain until it can be made safely transportable to a repair facility.
Eight anchors were laid out in Broad Bay to hold the rig in place when it arrived.
The rig’s owners, Transocean, will now start their assessment process – which includes putting divers in the water – to look at the damage the rig has suffered. Salvage experts have said that the process could take until the middle of September.
The journey took longer than initially estimated, with a travelling speed of 1-1.5 knots an hour, and the rig, which was towed by two tugs, exhibited a severe list to one side once in the water.
The platform was carrying 280 tonnes of diesel when it ran aground, 200 of which was then successfully transferred from the rig on to a supply vessel on Sunday, but concerns remained about potential spillages en route to Broad Bay.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been conducting counter-pollution flyover checks in the area to examine the water for any sign of discharge, sheen or pollution from the rig.
No pollution was reported in the Dalmore Bay area, but a slight sheen was detected as the aircraft continued to follow the path of the rig.
The sheen is thought to be associated with the ongoing pressurisation of tanks to maintain the rig’s stability.
A temporary exclusion zone remains in place at Dalmore Bay, where the rig initially ran aground, until the seabed has been swept for any debris or environmental impact.
Hugh Shaw, the secretary of state’s representative for maritime salvage and intervention, said: “We are taking advantage of the favourable weather conditions following this big step forward, and we will continue to closely monitor the rig.
Once everything is declared safe, I will be looking at releasing the exclusion zone in Dalmore Bay.”
“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Western Isles council and community for their patience and their gracious hospitality during this challenging and disruptive period.
“This salvage operation has required the united cooperation from so many different organisations who have spared no effort to ensure that this rig reaches safer waters.”
