The Stornoway coastguard helicopter is pictured attempting to land four salvage experts onboard the grounded Western Isles oil rig on Thursday.
Unfavourable conditions scuppered plans to get salvage experts on board to assess damage and check how much fuel has spilled into the sea.
The weather closed in and a bank of drizzle and rain made the operation too hazardous.
At times the pilot could hardly see the tower of the rig in the reduced visibility.
Plans to remove the rig from the rocks are now further delayed as the team is required to get onboard for a number of days to gather information, make their assessments and devise a salvage strategy.
Salvage company Smit is considering charting a private helicopter to airlift personnel onboard the stricken structure in order to draw up a removal plan.
This would avoid downtime if the coastguard helicopter was despatched to an emergency.
Weather prevents latest attempt to board crashed oil rig
11 August 2016