UPDATE - Grounding of Transocean Winner, Isle of Lewis

A damage assessment team from Smit Salvage and Transocean has been on board the oil rig grounded off the Isle of Lewis to carry out a series of initial inspections.

They spent three and a half hours yesterday checking the condition of the Transocean Winner looking at its structural integrity.

The rig remains in the original position and was reported to be carrying 280 metric tonnes of diesel oil on board in total split between a number of separate tanks. During the inspection the salvors discovered that two of the fuel tanks appear to have been breached, however it is unclear at this time how much oil from those tanks has been released to the environment.

Weather conditions have made it impossible for the team to continue the assessment today.

Additional salvors and technical experts from Transocean and also equipment continues to arrive to the incident area to support the operation.

A temporary exclusion zone of 300metres to keep boats away remains in force.

The tug Union Bear remains in the vicinity along with the ETV Herakles to support the operation.

Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s representative for maritime and salvage continues to monitor the operations and is maintaining touch with all the key stakeholders, including Transocean, Smit Salvage, the Scottish Environment Group and Western Isles Council.

 

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