Rescue Operation Underway as Transocean Rig Smashes into Scottish Shore
Rescue Operations have began as the Transocean Winner drilling rig, weighing 17,000 tonnes has washed ashore and collided with the coastline in Dalmore near the village of Carloway after being hit by severe storms in the early hours of this morning.
While being towed, the vessel became detached from it’s tug and was pulled by high winds and storms into the famous west coast shoreline.
There were no personnel on board the rig and there was no risk to life.
Dalmore resident Andrew MacLeod, who took the footage, spotted the rig from the window of his house when he woke up this morning.
He said: “I live literally 30 seconds down the road from where the rig ended up.
“I didn’t hear anything when it happened, it was actually someone in my house who spotted it around 6.30am. Police arrived, followed by the coastguard, about half an hour later.
He added: “The road to the beach has been blocked off and there’s a coastal walk that connects Dalmore beach to other beaches which has also been closed.
“Police and coastguard are still outside and the rig hasn’t moved.”
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “Overnight on Sunday, Stornoway Coastguard was in communication with the tug Alp Forward which encountered severe weather west of the Isle Of Lewis, Scotland during a towing operation.
“At 4.20am on Monday, the master of Alp Forward reported that the tow line had parted and due to the severe weather conditions was unable to reconnect the tow line and the rig is at risk of grounding on the west side of the Isle Of Lewis near Carloway. The tug Alp Forward remains on scene to visually monitor the rig.
“There are no personnel on board the rig and there is no risk to life.”
