Breakaway pontoon collides with gas pier 7/11/14

Gas inspectors have carried out checks on the gas pipeline in Stornoway harbour after a floating pontoon collided into the fuel pier.

The pontoon - understood to be a working platform - used at the nearby ferry terminal construction works - broke free during a gale on Thursday.

Strong winds pushed it into the fuel transfer jetty at the port’s Number 3 pier.

A spokesman for Bam Nuttall which is undertaking the £8 million harbour upgrade said the incident happened during blustery conditions.

The spokesman explained: “A sea fastening snapped resulting in a small pontoon drifting across from pier number three to pier number two.

“The pontoon lodged itself adjacent to the gas main and was subsequently recovered by a 35 tonne cranne we had on site.

“As a precautionary measure, we notified the gas board and an inspection was carried out.

“No apparent damage was found to the main.”