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A salvage squad plans to set up camp onboard the stricken Dalmore oil rig because of problems in accessing the platform.

Plans to repair badly damaged fuel tanks and pull the Transocean Winner off jagged rocks on the west coast of Lewis are delayed because salvage inspectors have been unable to get onboard for days.

An optimum opportunity to refloat the structure during next week's high tides appears to be lost as a result.

Unknown details about how badly holed the rig is and if she would sink if towed off away from the shore requires more time to assess the amount of damage.

Repeated bids to airlift personnel onto the main deck of the rig have been unsuccessful.

The group told Hebrides News they are now looking at living on the platform to avoid being stuck ashore in poor weather, once they actually get aboard that is.

A pulley system will be established on the headland to transfer food, water, supplies as well as sleeping bags and torches, across from the clifftop to the platform.

As a contingency, salvors may be taken transferred by boat onto the pontoon and climb up the legs.

A rope access team hired by Transocean chartered a RIB through a bouncy swell and jumped onboard the stricken rig today to examine the task.

Hugh Shaw, the UK Government's maritime salvage representative, told Hebrides News: "Our plan is changing. We are looking to get a team onboard, drop provisions to them and the intention is that team will stay on board overnight.”

Mr Shaw explained sea conditions were “favourable to get people out by RIB (rigid inflatable boat) and Transocean have brought in a rope access team.

"They been trying to work their way up one of the columns (legs) of the rig, trying to lay out a safe route for the salvors as an alternative option if we continue to have problems with helicopter use.

“The intention is to put rope access in up to the level the salvors can access the ladders on the rig itself.”

The team hope the platform’s generators are working so they can obtain heat and light while living onboard.

 

Salvage team plan to occupy stricken rig

13 August 2016