Tristan : First Attempt at Removal of Oil Rig
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 07.02.2007 (Article Archived on 21.02.2007)

There has been a first attempt to pull the stranded oil rig away from where it was grounded.

The photos show the tug pulling the rig. and the tug and rig.

Weekly News from Tristan

On the 3rd February, the Fishery Patrol Boat Wave Dancer and the Police Rib Atlantic Dawn with a team of observers and the island Administrator went to Tripot Bay to watch the 1st attempt to refloat the oil rig.

Over the past few weeks the salvage team had been busy cutting and removing as much material from the rig as possible to try and make her lighter for the tow, approximately 600mt had been removed and dumped in deep water.

It was an excellent day, and although the rig had good buoyancy on the port side, the tides were not sufficient to lift the starboard side, which had become damage during the early part of the attempt.

It is the intention, if all goes to plan, to try the main refloat in the next week or two.  In the meantime the salvage team will be putting more air bags in the columns to achieve as much buoyancy as possible.