► Stricken oil rig towed off rocks
► Photos: Successful salvage operation removes grounded oil rig
► Transocean apologises for grounded oil rig
The Transocean Winner drilling rig is now under tow to safer waters after being refloated from rocks on Lewis.
Around 10.05pm on the high tide last night, the 17,000 tonne platform rose off the Dalmore shore.
Gliding it clear off rocks, two salvage vessels, Union Bear and Union Princess, eased the rig into open waters at the mouth of Dalmore Bay. There, salvage engineers ballasted tanks to reduce her 10º list.
The rig is now under tow by the same tugs, crawling along at around two knots to an anchorage off Point in Broad Bay on the east side of Lewis.
In reality, a single tug would be sufficient but two have been deployed.
Speed of the tow is slower than initially anticipated due to the rig's badly holed tanks below the waterline.
The tow came around the Butt of Lewis at teatime.
Updated expected time of arrival is around breakfast time on Wednesday morning.
An anchor handling vessel, the Vittoria, has dropped heavy duty anchors in the sea within the bay.
The rig's own anchors were removed in Norway before her voyage to Malta.
Eight anchors will be used to secure the rig in position for the next fortnight or more until she is stabilised and safe to move to a repair yard.
Half have been laid in advance of her arrival while a similar number of anchors are being freighted in from Aberdeen.
No pollution from the rig has been reported in the Dalmore Bay area. On Tuesday morning the Maritime and Coastguard Agency flew its spotter plane over the scene to examine the water for any sign of discharge, sheen or pollution from the rig.
The 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 vessels are accompanying the tow and is assisting by breaking
up the light sheen. Additional counter pollution equipment is on board the two anti-
The temporary exclusion zone remains in place at Dalmore Bay until the seabed has been thoroughly checked for any debris or environmental impact.
Other vessels will be banned from coming one kilometre near the rig in Broad Bay.
Hugh Shaw, the UK Government's maritime salvage advisor 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."
Mr Shaw added: "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 and Coastguard Agency, the emergency services – not to mention all the other supporting organisations, stakeholders and businesses who’ve assisted in this operation."
► Stricken oil rig towed off rocks
► Photos: Successful salvage operation removes grounded oil rig
Listing rig under tow to safe anchorage
23 August 2016