Bad weather is set to hit the salvage of the oilrig which grounded at Dalmore, Lewis.
Strong winds and choppy seas forecast for Thursday risk hampering the operation to assess the damage and delay preparation of salvage plans said Hugh Shaw, the UK government’s maritime salvage representative.
The 33-
The tow ran into serious trouble in severe weather west when it attempted to take a deepwater route down the west side of the Hebrides.
Storm force winds and a heavy swell banging into the rig meant the tug MV Alp Forward could not maintain headway in the wind and was being overpowered by wild seas.
A temporary exclusion zone of 300 metres has been implemented around the rig.
Hugh Shaw, Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention, told Hebrides News the removal would be a “lengthy and slow operation,” possibly taking weeks.
Mr Shaw said: “This is still Transocean’s incident. I continue to monitor what they do.”
“It is a race against the clock” to get as much initial information before bad weather returns on Thursday, said Mr Shaw.
“We expect weather conditions to worsen and we will not risk putting people onboard then.
“The weather is forecast to deteriorate on Thursday” when the damage assessment will pause so not to risk human life.
“Even two days of information is not enough” to draw up a strategy to get the rig off the beach.
Mr Shaw added: “The main focus is to get people onboard and assess the damage.
A team of six people spent several hours on the rig on Tuesday.
However, “it will take several days to gather initial information and put together a salvage plan,“ he advised.
“Obviously there will be more concern if there is more bad weather.”
“Salvage tends to be a slow process and there are still a vast number of unknown factors.
“From my experience this is not going to be a quick job.”
Three salvage tugs are in Lewis for the salvage. The MV Union Bear and coastguard tug Herakles have been brought in. Also at the scene is the rig towing vessel, Alp Forward.
Hugh Shaw, UK Government marine salvage representative
Bad weather set to hamper oilrig salvage
10 August 2016