Massive Oil Rig Washes Ashore in Remote Scotland

— -- A massive ocean oil rig that was being towed through the Atlantic broke free during severe weather and washed ashore on the remote Isle of Lewis in Scotland.

The Transocean Winner broke free from its tow late Sunday night and washed up on the coast near Carloway, Scotland, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

There are no personnel on board, according to the MCA, but there are 280 metric tons (617,294 pounds) of diesel on board.

The Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) and the MCA's counter pollution branch have been closely monitoring grounded oil rig.

The MCA announced this morning that final preparations were being made to put a small team of salvors on board the oil rig to do an initial assessment.

"This initial [reconnaissance] will be checking a number of things, including fuel tanks," SOSREP spokesman Hugh Shaw said in a statement. "Weather permitting, it’s then intended to put a second larger group of salvors on tomorrow to carry out a more detailed inspection."

A temporary exclusion zone of 300 meters (about 984 feet) has been implemented in the area around the rig, according to the MCA.