An oil rig stranded for two weeks after running aground in the Western Isles has been successfully towed from the shoreline.

The Transocean Winner drilling rig crashed on to rocks off the coast of Lewis two weeks ago after breaking its tow lines in high winds and stormy seas while being transported.

Shortly after 10pm on Monday, the stricken rig was towed from Dalmore beach, near Carloway, by two tugs after the high tide gave the rig sufficient buoyancy to be safely moved.

The 17,000-tonne semi-submersible rig is now expected to be towed to Broad Bay on Lewis where it will stay until it is in a “stable and fit condition” to be moved to a repair facility.

The rig, which was being towed from Norway to Malta for decommissioning, grounded on the west coast of Lewis on August 8 with 280 tonnes of diesel on board.

It spilled an estimated 53,000 litres of fuel into the sea when two of its four fuel tanks ruptured, although the majority of the diesel is thought to have evaporated without causing any significant threat to wildlife.

The remaining 200 tonnes of hydrocarbons, mainly diesel with small amounts of base oil and brine, were transferred from the rig to the supply vessel Olympic Orion on Saturday.

The MCA said no pollution has been reported or observed, and plans to send an aircraft over the rig and surrounds to confirm the area is free of contaminants.

Over 200 people were involved in the salvage operation over the last fortnight, including staff from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Transocean, Smit Salvage and Briggs Environmental.

A Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigation has been launched into the loss of tow and the grounding.

Source: stv.tv