A CALL for an emergency tug to be reinstated at the Western Isles has been made following the grounding of an oil rig carrying 280 tonnes of diesel at a popular beauty spot.
Holidaymakers have been urged to stay away from Dalmore Beach near Carloway as questions were raised yesterday over why the rig was being towed in high winds.
The incident has raised environmental concerns and highlighted the need for Scotland to have at least two emergency towing vessels (ETVs), according to Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil.
“This could have been a very different outcome, and it is another example of why we need to have an emergency towing vessel on the west coast of Scotland,” said MacNeil. “The UK Government must return the ETV to Stornoway – a tug is an insurance policy for an unusual but possible event.
“I am also calling on the UK Government to carry out an immediate investigation as to why this oil rig was being towed in severe winds west of the Hebrides and I’m seeking further details regarding the response time – which the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said took 18 hours.”
Added Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant: “Just two days after the tug was removed from Stornoway in March 2012, a cargo ship ran aground on North Uist. There was no loss to life on that occasion either, but we cannot simply rely on good fortune to protect staff, passengers and our environment from any future disasters.”
International environment group Kimo backed their call.
“One ETV sitting in Kirkwall is clearly not enough,” said a spokesperson.
Concern was also expressed by Carloway Community Council chair Angus MacLeod.
“If that had happened to a loaded oil tanker the place would have been devastated” he said.
Since the grounding early on Monday morning, Stornoway Coastguard has blocked access to Dalmore beach which is popular with surfers.
“We understand that this incident is of interest to people living in the area but we’re asking them to stay away to ensure easy access for emergency services and salvage teams,” said coastguard Mark Rodaway.
Salvage crews are now inspecting the Transocean Winner oil rig which was being towed from Norway to Malta and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has started an investigation into the incident. It is understood the semi-submersible platform was en route to Turkey to be scrapped. No-one was on board when it grounded.
Scottish Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “We are in close contact with the UK government, which is responsible for managing the response, as well as the emergency services and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”
It is understood that the tug towing the oil rig, the Alp Forward, first called for help on Sunday around 6.15pm as it ploughed through heavy seas off the Western Isles’ west coast. According to MacNeil, the coastguard emergency towing tug Herakles set off from Kirkwall just 15 minutes later but did not arrive until 12.30pm the following day – hours after the rig grounded at 7.30am and long after the towing line between the rig and Alp Forward broke at around 4.15am.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here