► Oil rig removal operation called off
The Transocean Winner rig may be shifted to more sheltered waters for the next attempt to load her onto a heavy lift ship.
Salvors are considering if it could be towed to a mainland sealoch.
A planned removal operation was cancelled today as a result of surging sea at the
mouth of Broad Bay creating unsafe conditions to position the damaged platform on
the semi-
Hugh Shaw, the UK government‘s salvage advisor.
Mr Shaw said today's operation was put off as "there is very little wind but both the captain of the Hawk and the loading master felt the swell was above “acceptable limits” to undertake the operation safely."
Wind speeds, waves and current were ideal but it all came down to the height of the rolling swell, he explained.
“Our concern was if we had any movement with the rig coupled with movement on the ship, then that could have done some damage at the crucial part when we got the two together."
He added: “The forecast was not expected to improve to give us sufficient time to complete the operation so the decision was made to suspend it.”
► Oil rig removal operation called off
Carrying out the loading operation at a mainland location on the west coast may be an option.
Another possibility is taking it to another sealoch or bay on the east side of Lewis.
Hugh Shaw, the UK government‘s salvage advisor, has asked salvors to consider looking at “alternative positions on either this side of the Minch or on the mainland" with less swell.
Oil rig may be moved for loading operation
1 October 2016