Update: Transocean Winner drilling rig (19th August)

Preparations for the refloat of the Transocean Winner continue as more equipment arrives onboard the grounded rig.
 
Compressors are being brought in to be used to provide buoyancy for the refloat although it’s not sure exactly when this refloat will happen.
 
At a public meeting last night representatives from Transocean and Smit confirmed that they would not go ahead with the refloat until they were satisfied all the preparations were complete.
 
Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSREP) for Maritime Salvage & Intervention, also last night reiterated his commitment to making sure that the local community is kept fully informed about the progress of the operation to move the rig.
 
He said: ‘As soon as I am in a position to share when this is going to happen, I’ll do so. The community has been supportive of us in our work and we – in return – have done our utmost to make sure they know what we’re doing and how and when.’
 
Transocean has confirmed they started the operation yesterday to remove some of the diesel oil in the pontoon. This will continue today. A verification flight by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s counter-pollution team has been carried out following that work and there is no evidence of pollution in the area.
 

The 300m exclusion zone covering the sea and the exclusion zone covering the air (temporary) remains in place – any aircraft pilot or drone operator not involved in the operation that breaches that zone will be prosecuted.

Picture: Maritime & Coastguard Agency






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