Spotted: Hawk Swoops Up Transocean Winner

Transocean Winner, the oil rig that grounded near Scottish Carloway in August and that was subsequently towed to Broad Bay, was loaded onto the semi-submersible heavy lift ship Hawk on October 7, 2016, ready to depart the UK.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) verification aircraft was on scene October 6, 2016, and no pollution was sighted or reported.

However, late October 6, some leakage was spotted in the water – this was believed to have been a maximum of 50 liters of hydraulic or gear oil. It was thought to have come from a damaged part of the rig and appropriate counter-pollution measures were taken.

A further check flight by the MCA aircraft on October 7 over the Hawk and the wider area across Broad Bay found no further oil.

Vessels with counter pollution equipment were expected to remain on scene until there is no longer any threat of a release from the damaged sponsons.

“Preparations are being made today to commence the sea fastening operations, Assessment of the damage has begun today and other work is starting to prepare the Hawk for her passage to Malta. This could take four or five days to be completed,” the MCA said on October 7, 2016.

From Malta, the drilling rig will be sent to Turkey to be scrapped.