The owner of the stricken oil rig which crashed in the Western Isles has thanked islanders for their help and patience in salvaging the giant structure.
This week the 17,600-tonne Transocean Winner will depart the islands, nine weeks after grounding at Dalmore on the west coast of Lewis during a summer storm on August 8.
An official investigation has been launched into how the decommissioned drilling platform broke its towline and ran aground on rocks, piercing nearly 30 tanks and spilling up to 53 tonnes of fuel into the sea.
Hundreds of people have been involved in the ensuing operation which resulted in the rig being manoeuvred over the sunken deck of a semi-submersible vessel, the Hawk.
The latter deballasted dramatically and rose out of the water – in a manner not so much Transocean as Transformer – with the platform standing high on its deck on Friday.
The energy giants hired many island companies during the operation, including engineering and boat hire firms, welding crews and scaffolders, as well as buying local supplies, food and services.
Transocean’s operations director, Dave Walls, emphasised his praise for the community and recovery crews.
Mr Walls said: “I am extremely proud of the men and women who have worked incredibly hard over two months to get us where we are.
“The support received from the community has been tremendous. Local businesses have helped us incredibly well.
“All in all, I am really very pleased by the way that everybody has responded and helped.
Mr Walls added that the loading plan was “meticulously done and executed very well.
He said: “I am very pleased at the way things went. The next phase is to assess some damage and make sea fastenings ready for the voyage.”
It is thought the rig could be en route by Wednesday.
The passage to Malta takes around ten days. Thereafter, further repairs to the Winner will be carried out before the rig is towed to a scrap yard in Turkey.