A massive ship has arrived in the Outer Hebrides to help with the operation to lift a stricken oil rig to a scrap yard over 5000 miles away.
The Transocean Winner was heading to Turkey where it was to be scrapped before coming to grief on the Isle of Lewis last month.
Today the 394-feet long Island Constructor, which can accommodate 90 people, was in Broad Bay where the oil rig is anchored – and appeared to be carrying out work around the 17,000 tonne drilling platform.
Launched in 2008 from the Ulstein Verft shipyards in Norway, the Island Constructor is used in the oil industry for light well intervention operations.
The vessel is fitted with a large tower and a powerful crane, ROV hangar, diesel electric power plant and a helicopter deck.Island Constructor will not be the ship that actually carries “piggy back” the Transocean Winner to Turkey. That ship has yet to be announced.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said no date had yet been fixed for the operation but a public meeting would be held in advance.
The Transocean Winner beached at Dalmore near Carloway on the east site of Lewis on August 8 before being towed two weeks later to the east side of the island at Broad Bay – where it is still being assessed.
“Preparations are being made for the Transocean Winner to be transported as ‘dry cargo’ to Turkey,” said a spokeswoman for the MCA.
“Although contracts are still to be finalised, planning is under way for the rig to be loaded on to a semi-submersible heavy lift vessel for its journey.
“The operation may start later this month but a definite date has not yet been set. Once a date has been confirmed, the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention Hugh Shaw, together with others involved in the operation, will hold a public meeting to explain to the community how the operation will work.”
Mr Shaw said:”From the onset, our aim has been to keep the local community fully aware of our future plans and intentions. Given the level of interest, we will be more than happy to have the key players explain how the next part of the operation will be managed.”
In the meantime, the grounded rig remains stable in Broad Bay, connected to seven anchors.over who actually owns the rig have also been raised because at the time of its beaching it was being towed from Norway to Malta for eventual scrapping in Turkey.
But in a statement Transocean confirmed it “owns the rig.”
“We are continuing to assess the rig’s condition and will determine its disposition following the conclusion of that assessment,” it said.
“Our goal is to move the rig from Broad Bay to another location to be determined in the coming weeks. We are truly grateful to the community, particularly the kind and friendly people of Dalmore, Broad Bay and Carloway, for their support and patience.”
Debris up to 200lbs from the rig has been found on the beach where it got stuck on rocks.
About 40 pieces have been discovered to have broken off the structure.
Temporary exclusion zones (TEZ) in Dalmore Bay and Broad Bay remain in place.
“Although the TEZ only covers the sea area off the beach, members of the public should be aware that there may be some uncharted debris from the rig still lying on the seabed. Divers have already detected and recovered some debris but have been unable to complete their search due to the prevailing weather conditions,” said the MCA.
“Advice also remains in place about being vigilant if walking on the beach – if you see anything out of the ordinary which could be debris, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”