Friday 09/03/07

Clear start to the morning, as an oilrig passes on the eastern horizon, at 6.30 am. It is moving slowly south, and comes at a standstill just within sight of my position. According to AIS, it's located 12 miles south of here between Loch Erisort and Loch Ouirn. The rig is the Sedco 711 being towed by ocean-going tugs Far Forsna and Far Sky. The rig is headed for Killibegs in Ireland (Co Donegal). The ensemble was visible on AIS last night off Tolsta Head, and has been making slow progress southwest at 5 mph. Weather worsens sharply through the morning as short, sharp wintry showers move across. Some contain sleet and snow. TC George has claimed 3 lives in Western Australia, and the workers in the mining compound where the fatalities occurred criticise their employers for putting them up in prefab units which are obviously not cyclone proof. TC Jacob is now heading for the same area. The tugs swap places as one comes into Stornoway. Rain starts after dark and the wind picks up to force 6, gusting to force 9. Dinner was a creditable cheese, tomato and macaroni dish, which left me pretty much full up. Rain and wind continue through the evening.