Tugs towing Shell drill ship to Dutch Harbor

A Royal Dutch Shell PLC drill barge that ran aground New Year Eve is on the move from near Kodiak Island in Alaska to Dutch Harbor.

Shell spokesman Curtis Smith says in an email to the related Press that the Kulluk left the bay Tuesday afternoon. Three tugs are towing the barge in a journey projected to take about ten days.

The Kulluk drilled in the Beaufort Sea last year and was being towed to Seattle when it broke loose from its towing ship. The round drilling barge ran aground New Year Eve.

It was reflated and towed to the protected bay, but the Coast Guard had planned it to remain anchored until its condition was assessed. The Coast Guard lifted its control last week.

Smith says once the Kulluk reaches Dutch Harbor it will be placed aboard a larger vessel for a dry tow to shipyard in Asia.