The Transocean Winner drilling rig was successfully refloated in Dalmore Bay off Scotland’s Isle of Lewis at 10pm Monday (UK time).
The 17,000 tonne rig, which run aground after breaking its tow line in stormy seas on August 8, was being stablised late last night in readiness to be moved to Broad Bay where it will then be made sea worthy to be towed or transported to a suitable repair facility. It is expected to reach Broad Bay late Tuesday (UK time).
On Sunday a team from rig owner Transocean and SMIT Salvage took advantage of settled weather to remove non-essential diesel oil and other potential pollutants from the semisubmersible rig.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has confirmed 200 tonnes of hydrocarbons, consisting of mainly diesel oil with small amounts of base oil and brine, was successfully transferred from the rig onto the supply vessel Olympic Orion.
MCA planned to fly its “verification aircraft” over the rig and surrounding area yesterday to confirm on site reports that there has been “no pollution reported or observed”.
