Remaining diesel on Transocean Winner to be transferred today
The salvage team on the Transocean Winner today plans to hook up a second towline to the rig, which is grounded off the Isle of Lewis.
Transocean Winner
Stranded rig refloating operation making “steady progress”
More than 200 people are involved in plans to refloat an oil rig grounded on the Western Isles which the head of the operation said is making “steady progress”. The Transocean Winner rig was blown ashore in severe weather conditions on the western side of the Isle of Lewis last week when it detached from its tug en-route from Norway to Malta. The rig is believed to have leaked 50,000 litres of fuel, most of which is thought to have evaporated, but no trace of pollution has been found since a low level was spotted on the day the rig grounded, Monday August 8. Salvage teams plan to transfer the remaining 137 metric tonnes of diesel fuel - a light and non-persistent oil with lower environmental risks than heavy black crude oil - in the intact tanks to tanks above the waterline. Hugh Shaw, the secretary of state’s representative for maritime, salvage and intervention, who is overseeing the operation, said: ’Work is ongoing and we are making steady progress, this is due to the response from all involved. “We fully appreciate the support that we have been getting from the local community and its leaders, as well as all those who live and work on the island.” The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the salvage teams on board are continuing to examine possible refloation and fuel transfer options. A helicopter has made three trips to transfer additional salvage equipment to those on board the rig, which grounded at Dalmore beach near Carloway. An MCA spokeswoman said: “So far, it is estimated that over 200 people are responding to the incident from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Transocean, Smit Salvage and Briggs Environmental. “The 300m exclusion zone covering the sea and the exclusion zone covering the air (temporary) remains in place - any aircraft pilot or drone operator not involved in the operation that breaches that zone will be prosecuted.” Mr Shaw and Transocean staff are expected to give an update on the salvage plans at a public meeting in Carloway on Thursday evening.
Calls for return of emergency tug in wake of Transocean rig grounding
Plans are being drawn up to find a way to reinstate the west coast’s emergency tug without costing taxpayers any money.
Fishers to demand compensation over exclusion zone around Transocean rig
Fishermen are to seek compensation for loss of earnings due to the exclusion zone around an oil rig grounded on the Western Isles.
Update: Salvage teams forge ahead with Transocean Winner refloat preparations
Salvors are pressing ahead with refloating preparations for the stricken Transocean rig, while another member is expected to join their operation later today.
The Transocean Winner grounding: What we know so far
On Monday August 8th at around 7.30am, the Transocean Winner rig became grounded off the Isle of Lewis. Here's what we know so far about the incident.
Isle of Lewis community group calls out Transocean over rig fiasco
A community group on the Isle of Lewis has challenged Transocean representatives to face questions from the public about its stricken rig next week.
Update: Transocean Winner salvage operation abandoned amid safety fears
Plans to put a salvage team on board an oil rig grounded on the Western Isles have been called off due to safety fears.
Probe under way into grounding of oil rig on Isle of Lewis
An investigation has begun into the grounding of an oil rig on the Western Isles which is believed to have leaked more than 50,000 litres of fuel.
Up to 50,000 litres of diesel fuel spilled from Transocean Winner rig
Tens of thousands of litres of diesel fuel are believed to have spilled into the ocean from an oil rig that ran aground on the Western Isles.
Green group fears leaky Transocean rig could hit tourism and fishing industries
The oil rig grounded off the Western Isles has developed a leak, leading to fears of a serious oil spill.
Offshore vessel arrives in Stornoway to support rig rescue operation
A vessel which will be used to help with the salvage operation for the stranded Transocean Winner off the Western Isles has arrived in Stornoway.