AN OIL RIG has run aground on the shores of the Isle of Lewis, off the coast of Scotland, after it broke free from a tug in high winds last night.
The drilling platform, called the Transocean Winner, is now lying close to the shore, but authorities said no one is on board and no one has been injured.
The Guardian reports that attempts have been made today to refloat the 17,000-tonne rig.
The UK Coastguard is warning people not to visit the area, stating that the police are enforcing a restricted access it the site, which is a well-known beauty spot in the area.
The Secretary of State’s representative for maritime salvage and intervention, Hugh Shaw, is travelling to the site this evening, along with the people who specialise in salvaging ships and items lost at sea.
The coastguard said:
There is 280mt of diesel on board and this situation is being monitored but it’s believed the pollution risk is low.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s counter pollution branch has been monitoring the situation since yesterday evening and the local authority, police and Marine Scotland have all been kept informed.
Mark Rodaway UK Coastguard Commander said:
We understand that this incident is of interest to people living in the area, but we’re really asking them to stay away to ensure easy access for emergency services and salvors.
Also the last thing we want is for people to be injured or worse trying to get a closer look on remote cliff paths.
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