Update: Transocean Winner drilling rig, Isle of Lewis
During
the past 24 hours, Transocean and SMIT Salvage have continued to plan
and prepare for the refloat operation for the Transocean Winner
currently grounded at
Dalmore Bay.
Yesterday
Transocean was asked to use the good weather conditions on scene to
take the opportunity to remove non-essential diesel oil and any other
potential pollutants
from the drilling rig.
It
has now been confirmed that 200 tonnes of hydrocarbons, consisting of
mainly diesel oil with small amounts of base oil and brine, was
successfully transferred from
the rig onto the supply vessel Olympic Orion.
No
pollution has been reported or observed. The MCA is sending its
verification aircraft to overfly the rig and surrounding area. The
aircraft is currently in Inverness
and is waiting for a higher cloud base on site before the flight can be
safely carried out.
Transocean plans to refloat the rig over the high water tomorrow night (Monday 22 August).
The
rig will then be towed to Broad Bay, Isle of Lewis and will remain
there until it is in a stable and fit condition to be towed or
transported to a suitable repair
facility.
Hugh
Shaw, the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and
Intervention said: 'Good progress is being made in this operation. The
plans for the refloat
are in place Although this is dependent on the Salvage team being able
to recover enough buoyancy to enable the rig to refloat safely.'
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Picture: Maritime & Coastguard Agency |