Nearly 140,000 litres of diesel that remains on board a stricken oil rig grounded in the Outer Hebrides is to be pumped above the waterline to lessen the risk of an environmental catastrophe.
Another six workers are set to join the team who are currently on board the drilling rig Transocean Winner as part of the ongoing salvage operation.
It means there is a team of 14 aboard the drilling rig at Dalmore on the Isle of Lewis where the semi-submersible platform grounded last Monday week.
They are living aboard the rig while a full assessment is made. Worried locals are holding a meeting at nearby Carloway tonight (Mon).
Two helicopters are also to be brought in, one from the south of England and another from Spain by the rig’s owner Transocean to lift heavy equipment if needed.
“Smit Salvage has confirmed that the two diesel oil tanks in the hull are intact and plans are under way to transfer the contents – a total of 137 metric tonnes – using onboard pumping systems to other tanks above the water line,” said a spokeswoman for the MCA.
“The salvors continue their damage assessment and preparation for the refloat.
“Transocean continues to check and restore equipment and other essential services. “An AugustaWestland AW139 helicopter is now based in Stornoway to support the operation. A second aircraft has also been mobilised and may arrive on the island later today.
“The Scottish Operational Environment Group continues to support and closely monitor the incident. There are no reports of pollution.”
Moving the stricken rig Transocean Winner off an Isle of Lewis beach is still weeks away, according to the official overseeing the salvage work.
The rig has lost more than 12,000 gallons (56,000 litres) of diesel oil from fuel tanks. Hugh Shaw, who is overseeing the salvage work, said the eight will stay on board for the “foreseeable future”.
A wire is to be run between the shore and the rig so supplies and equipment can be delivered to the personnel on the Transocean Winner.
Mr Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention, said that any attempt to refloat Transocean Winner was still weeks away.
A 300m (984ft) exclusion zone remains in place around the rig covering both sea and air, which means no drones will be permitted in the area, although another aircraft has been brought in to help with the work.
The Transocean Winner was being towed from Norway to Malta from where it was to be moved to a yard in Turkey to be broken up.
A tow line between the rig and a tug broke during stormy weather and the structure ran aground at Dalmore at about 7.30am on August 8.
