No warnings signs are posted at Dalmore beach where the authorities insist people should keep away due to potentially hazardous debris from the salvaged oil rig.
Jagged pieces of metal broken off the stricken Transocean Winner platform could wash ashore.
The Western Isles emergency planning group stressed: “Signage advising people to stay off the beach and out of the water will remain in place until such time as a seabed survey confirms that there is no debris in the vicinity of where the rig came ashore.”
However, warning notices were absent as hundreds of people visited the popular beauty spot this week .
No warning signs over hazardous oil rig debris at Dalmore beach
1 September 2016
After coming out of the water, surfer, David Scorer, said he had not heard about the warnings and “definitely” has concerns over the debris.
He said: “There are no signs anywhere, on the beach or at the entrance.”
Artist Kirsty Lymburn, who recently moved to Lewis, was also out surfing at Dalmore yesterday and is concerned about the debris.
She said: “I haven’t seen any notices around here.”
She said there were no warning signs at the entrance gate to the beach.
She added: “It is a worry. I wouldn’t like myself or anyone else to hit a large lump of metal. It could do some damage. It’s a worry for the wildlife especially.”
Beach users said no notices were on display.
Western Isles Council said signs had been posted but went missing and would be replaced.
The UK Government’s deputy salvage advisor advised gales could lift rig debris onto the beach.
Colin Mulvana said: “There may well be previously undetected debris that may appear following bad weather.
"Our advice remains the same as it has from the start – please stay off the beach while the diving operation continues and while the temporary exclusion zone is still in place.
‘We know that surfers and walkers, including those with dogs, use Dalmore Bay and will continue to use it after the diving operation is over and the exclusion zone has been lifted.”
Surfers David Scorer and Kirsty Lymburn