Rig off anchorage

The Transocean Winner drilling rig has been secured at anchor after a 54 mile voyage from Dalmore to Point, Lewis.

The badly holed 17,600 tonne platform - still listing to one side - arrived off North Tolsta this morning and stood off while last minute adjustments were made to the anchors laid on the seabed in Broad Bay on the east side of Lewis.

The drilling rig was slowly towed the last five miles into the anchorage.

Three tugs hooked it up to four anchors off Shader, Point, this afternoon.

Over the next few days, owners' Transocean will assess how much damaged was inflicted by jagged rocks before deciding on the best way to transport the rig to Malta.

A spotter plane has carried out a flight and no pollution has been detected in Broad Bay or along the track to Dalmore Bay.

However, a sheen has been detected along the voyage between the two locations which is likely associated with compressed air - used keep it watertight and upright - escaping out of damaged tanks.

The temporary exclusion zone remains in place at Dalmore Bay and there is also a 1000 metre ban on boats approaching the rig at Broad Bay.

Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvation and Intervention said: "The tow has taken longer than anticipated.

"We have been clear from the outset that we would not compromise the operation in any way so I am delighted that the 54 mile transit has been successfully completed without incident."

On Monday night, the rig was salvaged off the rocks she grounded on at Dalmore following a storm two weeks ago.

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 was towed by the same tugs, crawling along between one and two knots.

In reality, a single tug would be sufficient but two have been deployed.

Speed of the tow was 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 Monday.

An anchor handling vessel, the ER 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.

Overall, 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 will be collected from Aberdeen.

Hugh Shaw said: "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

► Transocean apologises for grounded oil rig

Badly damaged oil rig secured at anchor

24 August 2016