Rescued rig could create scores of jobs for locals

The oil rig that crashed into a beach in the Outer Hebrides could prove to be an employment blessing in disguise.

The leader of Western Isles Council is now asking the owners of the rig to fix it locally, creating scores of jobs.

Angus Campbell has asked for a meeting with representatives of Transocean to give “serious consideration to the use of local facilities and engineering expertise in carrying out the necessary repairs."

The Transocean Winner came to grief at Dalmore, on the Isle of Lewis, on August 8 after a towline snapped in a severe storm. It was en route from Norway to Turkey, viaMalta, to be scrapped.

There have been calls madebyWestern Islescouncillor Donald MacLeod for the stricken 17,000-tonne rig to be towed to the Arnish fabrication yard at Stornoway – where there were still anchors on the seabed that held a previous platform – as a payback" to islanders. He has estimated that “at least" 100 jobs could be created locally if it was scrapped at Arnish.

But Dave Walls, Transocean's operations director for North West Europe, based in Aberdeen, has admitted that Scotland does not have any suitable facilities where the rig could be fully decommissioned.

The Transocean Winner has been secured at anchor inBroadBay after a 54-mile voyage from Dalmore to Point, on the east side of Lewis.

In a letter to Transocean, Mr Campbell wrote: “We are glad that there has been no significant pollution arising from the incident and that the installation has now been successfully relocated from Dalmore Beach to Broad Bay.

“We understand that current plans are for it to remain there until Hugh Shaw, SOSREP, is completely satisfied that it is in a stable and fit condition to be towed or transported to a suitable reception or repair facility.

“We are pleased that you continue to engage with the local supply chain and, given the significant and positive economic impact to the islands, would now ask that serious consideration be given to the use of local facilities and engineering expertise in carrying out the necessary repairs.”

The rig was pulled off the rocks by two tug boats