Update: Transocean Winner drilling rig refloated and under tow
The Transocean Winner drilling rig that ran
aground in bad weather on the Isle of Lewis nearly two weeks ago has been
successfully refloated and stabilised and is now under tow to safer waters.
The rig was refloated from Dalmore Bay at 10pm
last night (Monday 22 August) and is now under tow by its support vessels at
about 1-1.5 knots per hour to Broad Bay, some 40 miles away.
Earlier this morning the Maritime &
Coastguard Agency flew its Counter Pollution verification aircraft over Dalmore
Bay to examine the water for any sign of discharge, sheen or pollution from the
rig. There was no pollution reported in the Dalmore Bay area.
The verification aircraft continued to follow
the path of the rig and has detected a slight sheen which is associated with
the ongoing pressurisation of tanks to maintain the rig’s stability.
Briggs Environmental is accompanying the tow and is assisting by breaking up
the light sheen. Additional counter pollution equipment is on board the
vessels at immediate readiness should it be required.
The Temporary Exclusion Zone remains in place at
Dalmore Bay until the seabed has been thoroughly checked for any debris or
environmental impact.
A Temporary Exclusion Zone of 1,000 metres has
also been established in Broad Bay.
Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative
(SOSREP) for Maritime Salvage & 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 whilst it is under tow. By all
accounts the rig appears to be in a stable condition, and is now due to reach
Broad Bay tomorrow morning. 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. I would like to specifically
mention Salvage Master, Sylvia Tervoort and the SMIT Salvage team,
Transocean, Briggs Environmental, Western Isles Council and local community,
Scottish Environment Group and other supporting government departments, the
Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the emergency services – not to mention all
the other supporting organisations, stakeholders and businesses who’ve assisted
in this operation.’