Guided by powerful tugs, Shell Oil’s drilling rig, the Noble Discoverer, began its slow but steady journey from the Alaska Railroad Dock to the waiting semi-submerged transport ship around 6:30 am on Saturday morning. Calm seas helped make this delicate operation much easier.

By early afternoon, the rig was temporarily secured in place, and the transport ship began to pump out the ballast water.

By evening, the rig rode high and dry on the cargo deck, lights blazing. Over the next few days, welders, including graduates of the AVTEC welding program, will secure the rig to the ship for the month-long journey across the North Pacific Ocean to the repair facility in South Korea.

Submitted by Carol Griswold