Jack up wreck: Tanker hits lost Ensco rig.
Lost rig found after suspected collision
A jackup rig lost in the US Gulf during Hurricane Ike was found today after a suspected collision with a tanker off Galveston.
The Ensco 74, MLT Super 116-C jack up, rests in about 115 feet (35 metres) of water 65 miles off Galveston in the US Gulf after coming loose during the hurricane in September.
At the time of the storm, the rig had been located in about 230 feet of water 92 miles from shore in South Marsh Island Block 149.
The SKS Satilla, a 900-foot suezmax tanker had sustained damaged to its ballast tanks and, when it deployed its underwater vehicle to investigate, found the lost rig, according to a Coast Guard release.
The tanker is listing slightly but is stable. There was no damage to its cargo tanks and crews continue to lighter the ship's 41 million gallons of oil onto two different tankers. After wrapping up lightering sometime tomorrow, the Satilla will head to port for repairs, a Coast Guard official said.
Ensco had conducted aerial and sonar surveys following the storm but never found its #74 jackup.
The Coast Guard has since marked the rig to prevent a mishap while Ensco decides how best to salvage it.
The company said it believes its insurance will cover damage to the ship and removal of the rig.
For video of the lightering operation click here.