Crews were attempting on Aug. 15 to board the Transocean Winner semisubmersible drilling rig, which had disconnected from the tug Alp Forward in rough seas and drifted aground Aug. 8. Weather has hampered recovery efforts.
The semi grounded off the Western Isles. No injuries resulted.
Media reports said the rig was being towed from Norway to Malta when it encountered high winds and waves. Preliminary reports indicated diesel was leaking from the fuel tanks, but Transocean did not comment on that or on the semi’s final destination.
Transocean’s Chief Operating Officer John Stobart visited a rig recovery operations unit in Stornoway on Aug. 13. He also met with Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention, who is overseeing the recovery operations.
“Transocean is working closely with authorities,” the company said in an Aug. 13 statement. “We have been in business in Scotland since the early 1960s and intend to be here for years to come. We are fully prepared to meet our responsibilities arising from this incident.”
