Transocean will meet islanders on Lewis for the first time later this week to discuss plans for recovering its 17,000-tonne oil rig.

The Transocean Winner broke free while being towed to Malta on August 8 and grounded near Carloway on Lewis.

Two of the vessel’s four fuel tanks have ruptured, spilling up to 53 tonnes of diesel into the sea. The rig was carrying around 270 tonnes of fuel when it grounded.

As well as refloating the rig, Transocean will pump the remaining diesel out of its fuel tanks to minimise the risk of a further spill.

On Thursday night, representatives from Transocean, Smit Salvage and the Western Isles Emergency Planning Coordinating Group will meet with locals at a special public information meeting in Carloway Community Centre.

The 33-year-old drilling rig was on its way from Norway to Malta for decommissioning when it grounded on Dalmore beach.

The rig is now leaning further on her damaged end and may be sinking into the sand.

A hole in one of the rig’s two pontoons appears to be causing the rig to list to the side and all of its water ballast tanks have been breached.

Transocean personnel are carrying out an inspection of the platform with the help of salvage contractors.

UK Government marine salvage adviser Hugh Shaw said: “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.

“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.”

Source: stv.tv