Transocean exhibition in Carloway
The tenth anniversary of the 17,000 drilling rig Transocean Winner coming aground at Dalmore on the west side of Lewis will be marked with an exhibition and talk in Carloway next week.
As part of the Carloway Show week programme, the event organised by Comann Eachdraidh Chàrlabhaigh will take place in the community centre on Tuesday, four days prior to the exact anniversary of the event.
The Transocean Winner was being towed from Norway to Malta to be stripped of its parts before proceeding to Turkey for scrapping. However, it broke free of its tow in stormy conditions and ended up on the beach at Dalmore.
Amidst concerns about pollution, the drama continued for the following two months during which Transocean Winner became something of a sightseer attraction before conditions allowed it to be transferred to Broad Bay and eventually resume its journey.
A subsequent report by the Marine and Coastguard Agency found that “planning a passage so close to the coastline left limited sea room for the tug and tow to drift in the event of bad weather”.
It was also critical of the tug’s owners, finding that “ALP Forward’s tow line was in a generally poor condition, with partial disintegration of the core leading to significant loss of strength, and an inability of the core to provide adequate support to the outer strands”.
The report added: “An improved maintenance and inspection routine could have ensured that the tow line did not deteriorate or, if deterioration had occurred, it was appropriately discarded”.
The episode left behind a modest financial legacy. In total, Transocean donated £120,000 to the Western Isles Development Trust, half of which was to be spent for the benefit of the island’s young people.
Thereafter, in 2022, the Western Isles Development Trust – which is administered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – passed the remainder to Dalmore Cemetery Lairholders’ Association after it became a registered charity and a balance of almost £44,000 remains.
Memories of the Transocean Winner, its unexpected arrival, delayed departure and all that happened can be revived at next Tuesday evening’s event in Carloway Community Centre.