High hopes stranded oil rig will soon be refloated

AN operation involving more than 200 people to refloat a grounded oil rig is making ‘steady progress’.

The Transocean Winner rig was blown ashore in severe weather on the western side of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, after it detached from its tug en-route from Norway to Malta.

Since the rig ran aground on August 8, it is believed to have leaked 50,000 litres (11,000 gallons) of fuel, but no trace of pollution has been found since a low level was spotted on the day it grounded.

Salvage teams plan to transfer the remaining 137 metric tonnes of diesel fuel – a light oil with lower environmental risks than heavy black crude oil – to tanks above the waterline.

Hugh Shaw, the secretary of state’s representative for maritime, salvage and intervention, said: ‘Work is ongoing and we are making steady progress. This is due to the response from all involved.

‘We fully appreciate the support we’ve been getting from all those who live and work on the island.’

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the salvage teams on board are continuing to examine possible reflotation and fuel transfer options.

A helicopter has made three trips to transfer additional salvage equipment to those on board the rig, which grounded at Dalmore beach near Carloway.

An MCA spokesman said: ‘So far, it is estimated that over 200 people are responding to the incident from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Transocean, Smit Salvage and Briggs Environmental.’

She added that a 1,000ft exclusion zone covering the sea and air is still in place and anyone breaching that zone not involved in the operation may be prosecuted.

Mr Shaw and Transocean staff are expected to give an update on the salvage plans at a public meeting in Carloway tomorrow.