Salvage teams were able to successfully attach the main tow line to the drill rig Kulluk which has been stranded on Sitkilidak Island just to the east of the mouth of Ocean Bay since Monday. The Unified Command announced that the attachment was made at 4pm on Sunday.

From the time that the towline was attached, tension has been kept on the rig by the tug Aiviq. The Unified Command reported via press release that the tension would be kept up on the tow line throughout the night with the ungrounding to take place sometime on Monday. They also stated that the Salvage Master who has been placed on the rig had the discretion to perform the ungrounding and tow earlier if the conditions seemed right.

This may very well be the case. Earlier this evening, the Aiviq slowly moved away from its position where it was holding tension and has continued for over the past hour along the planned tow path that was made public yesterday. At 11:39pm, the Aiviq is now making way along the tow path at approximately 4 knots as the Nunaq and the Alert flank either side a short distance astern of the tug. Each of those vessels are mirroring the speed of the Aiviq.

The cutter Alex Haley is traveling at the same heading and speed approximately 4 miles in front of the tug Aiviq.

The other support vessels in the area have also began to coalesce along the path as well. The Ocean Wave has taken up a position behind the Nanuq, as the Warrior, Perserverance, and Corbin Foss slowly close the distance between them and the path of travel for the Aiviq.

The travel of the vessels very closely mirrors the planned tow path set out by the Unified Command and so the Alaska Native News surmises that the rig is clear of shore and on its way to the shelter of Kiliuda Bay thirty miles distant.

If it is playing out in the manner planned by the Unified Command, a Salvage Master is aboard the Kulluk, while a Coast Guard marine inspector is aboard the Aiviq as the move takes place.

As part of the recovery operations, onshore, nearshore and offshore oil spill assets, including response vessels, will be on-scene in Ocean Bay and during transit, it was announced today.

Update:

At 11:45pm, the Unified Command confirmed that the rig is now free from shore and evaluations are being made of the rig before it continues to shelter.