Fuel tanks breached on oil rig swept onto Scottish beach


5 photos
Save Story

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

LONDON (AP) — Coast guards say two fuel tanks have been breached on an oil rig that was blown onto a remote Scottish beach, though it's not clear how much diesel has escaped.

The Transocean Winner was being towed when it broke free of its tug and ran aground on the Isle of Lewis off Scotland's west coast on Monday.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency says the rig is carrying 280 tons of diesel in several tanks.

The agency says salvage workers boarded the rig Tuesday and "discovered that two of the fuel tanks appear to have been breached." Poor weather prevented the workers returning to the rig Wednesday.

Environmental groups have expressed concerns about the accident, and local politicians have called for an emergency towing vessel to be based in the area.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Photos

Most recent Business stories

Related topics

The Associated Press
    KSL.com Beyond Series
    KSL.com Beyond Business

    KSL Weather Forecast

    KSL Weather Forecast
    Play button