Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan today had a meeting by phone with Hugh Shaw, Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention, regarding the ongoing situation with the Transocean Winner oil rig which is currently anchored in Broadbay, Isle of Lewis.
Alasdair Allan commented: "I had a useful conversation today and was able to relay a number of the issues which people have been raising with me. Work continues at Dalmore to check the site for any debris and I am pleased to hear that this work will continue to ensure public safety and the protection of the local environment.
"I also raised the issue of the effect the current exclusion zone at Dalmore is having on fishing activity in the area. While I am hopeful this will not be needed for much longer, fishermen affected are very welcome to raise any concerns they have with me so I can take these up with the owners of the rig.
"Obviously, everybody now wants to know when the rig will be moved from Broadbay to its final destination, a question which I raised with Mr Shaw. Now that the damage to the rig has been assessed, clearly the next phase is to assess the best means of moving the rig, something requiring a window of decent weather.
"This has been a complicated task and one in which people from the island and elsewhere have put in long shifts to solve. I would like to pay tribute to the work they have done, and continue to do, and I hope we will see a resolution to this sometime soon."
