EMEA News
Grounded Rig Sees More Than 12,000 Gallons of Bunkers Spilled on Scottish Coast
More than 12,000 gallons of diesel oil has been spilled from the oil rig Transocean Winner after it grounded off Scotland at Lewis at approximately 7:30 a.m. last Monday, the BBC reports.
Stormy weather is said to have led to the line between the rig and the tug performing the towing operation to break before the rig grounded.
"There is 280 metric tonnes of diesel on board and this situation is being monitored," said a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesperson.
Eight experts are said to have since boarded the rig using ropes in order to create "a safe alternative access" to the structure, said MCA on Sunday.
Salvors are now said to be assessing the rig, as well as making it habitable for overnight stays for more effective work.
"Once the assessment is under way, we'll have a much better idea of what we are dealing with, which will mean a more detailed salvage plan can be drawn up and put into place," said Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State's representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention.
Salvors are said to be examining the rig's diesel oil tanks in order to assess how the remaining fuel may be transferred to unbreached tanks before refloating operations begin, and working to identify the safest route by which to move the rig.
A 300 metre exclusion zone for both sea and air is said to be currently in place around the rig.
"We've made a commitment to keeping people informed locally and we intend to keep to that - once I'm happy that the plan is ready, we will be sharing it with community leaders and the community as a whole," said Shaw.
The Transocean Winner is reported to have been under tow from Norway to Malta at the time of the incident, and was slated for demolition at a yard in Turkey upon arrival.
