VALARIS DS4

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Drill ship back at its berth

On Feb 8 the 'Valaris DS 4' was finally back at its berth at the Hunterston Terminal in Fairlie Harbour after a six-day operation. The vessel broke from its moorings with eight crew onboard on Feb 2, sparking a major emergency response over fears it could run aground on the isle of Cumbrae. The Coastguard received a mayday just after 7.20 p.m. with Troon, Largs and Girvan RNLI lifeboats, the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick and Coastguard rescue teams from Largs, Ardrossan, Ayr, Gourock and Cumbrae as well as the police all in attendance. The ship restored power in the afternoon of Feb 3 and remained anchore with several tugs helping to hold its position. However, due to worsening weather conditions the vessel had been unable to make its way back to its berth until Feb 8.

Tugs, lifeboats and helicopter standing by drilling ship

After the 'Dalaris DS4' broke its mooring, went adrift and issued a mayday call on mile west of Fairlie, two lifeboats and a Coastguard helicopter were in attendance at the scene in the night until the Coastguard confirmed that the drifting ship could be temporarily anchored off Hunterston. The vessel had drifted in high winds near the nuclear power plant's cooling inlet without power at 7.20 p.m. The rescue operation was still ongoing on Feb 3. The stricken vessel had eight crew members on board. It was feared that it could drift towards the nuclear intake cooling pipe at the Hunterston B Power Station, which is around two miles from where the ship was moored. The vessel was now holding the position after its starboard anchor deployed. The Girvan RNLI ALB was en route to relieve the Troon RNLI ALB. The tugs 'Anglegarth', Svitzer Milford', 'Ayton Cross' and 'Kingdom of Fife' were assisting the vessel, as it was unable to restart its engine, at around 05.45 a.m. on Feb 3. Attempts were being made to restore engine power while the 'Valaris DS4' was in position 55 45 18 N, 004 53 15 W. If the tugs were unable to prevent the drifting and move it to a safer position, an evacuation plan would be prepared. he engines have now been restored and the ship’s technical managers are working with the Port Authority to return the ship to a place of safety. Another moored vessel at the terminal, the 'Valaris DS8', has also required assistance in the worsening weather and got asssitance to hold its position by four tugs. The Girvan RNLI lifeboat, senior coastal operations officers and Coastguard rescue teams from across the area remained on scene to provide support. Report with photos: https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/19062560.hunterston-drill-ship-photographer-captures-scale-ongoing-incident/

Drill ship went adrift

In the evening of Feb 2, 2021, the 'Valaris DS4' with eight crew on board broke off her moorings in stormy weather at the Hunterston Terminal in the Firth of Clyde. The ship was in an intermediate lay-up between two commissions since Dec 27, 2020. After it went adrift, the Troon and Largs RNLI lifeboats, the Coastguard SAR helicopter from Prestwick and Coastguard rescue teams from Largs, Ardrossan, Ayr, Gourock and Cumbrae responded. The vessel was brought under control and moored in pos. 55° 45.33' N 004° 52.68' W. Report with photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-55893181