Another hurdle has been cleared in the mission to send the Transocean Winner on its way to Turkey for scrapping.
The rig was loaded onto the Hawk semi-submersible heavy lift ship a week ago.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said today that work to fasten the rig in place had been completed and signed off ahead of its journey to the Mediterranean.
Hawk’s captain is now waiting to receive final approvals from all parties before setting sail from Broad Bay, off the Isle of Lewis.
However, the MCA did not rule out the possibility of further delays.
It said sea conditions would continue to be monitored and that Hawk’s departure could be postponed if they are deemed unfavourable.
Transocean Winner was taken to Broad Bay in August after being successfully refloated off the west coast, where it ran aground earlier the same month following a storm.
A video uploaded earlier this week by Hebrides News shows the Transocean Winner aboard Hawk.