A 150-nautical-mile tow of the stricken cargo ship Lysblink Seaways is under way to Inchgreen, Greenock on the Firth of Clyde.
The Lysblink Seaways ran aground near Ardnamurchan Point last month. It was refloated and taken to the sheltered Scallastle Bay in the Sound of Mull ahead of forecast bad weather.
Now the ship owners and salvors are taking advantage of calm conditions to undertake a 150-nautical-mile tow to a repair facility.
A rainbow and the flotilla of tugs guiding the Lysblink Seaways down Sound of Mull. Credit: Craignure Bunkhouse/Twitter
The passage plan has been agreed by Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention.
Mr Shaw said: ‘The tow will, where possible, take advantage of sheltered waters and will move through the Sound of Mull, Firth of Lorn, Sound of Jura and the North Channel before entering the Firth of Clyde.’
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A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokseman said the tug Luca is the towing vessel, while the tug Afon Menai is connected to the stern and the Forth Jouster is providing support for the operation.
Svitzer Salvage will have a team and salvage equipment on board the Lysblink Seaways for the duration of the tow.
The Coastguard vessel MCA Hunter is providing safety cover between Scallastle Bay and the Firth of Lorn.
The Scottish Environment Group continues to monitor events and is supporting the work being done.