Maritmie question for folks on the West coast

[newbuild100]

On the 1st of september, we were on Mull (at the very NW of the Isle actually).
Looking out to sea, and West of The small Isles, (and very much at distance but could be seen with naked eye, just) there appeared to be what looked like 4 very high, reddish "tower blocks" in the middle of the ocean.
We asked locals what they were and even though they had seen them too, nobody had any clues to their identity.
During the hour or so we spent on the beach, the positions of each of the towers changed somewhat until they eventually dissapeared over the horizon heading North, obviously afloat on some very large ship or other.

Serious question. Anyone any idea what they were at all, or indeed, who do we ask to find out (Some shipping company maybe) ????

Thanks folks

 

[Posh Pete]

Initially I thought these might be chunks of aircraft carrier headed for Rosyth. A swift check showed that the last major chunk was moved last year. So that leaves an oil rig being taken to Invergordon to be laid up? The "tower blocks" would be the jack up legs maybe?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Could it have been something like this ?

 

[Aidan1150]

Could it have been something like this ?

I'd say you are right AA. One of these windmill installation vessels.

 

[Jazbee]

Yep I would say JU rigs heading round the coast to be laid up in the Moray Firth (with all the others) probably one or more that were operating in the Irish Sea and work completed?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Loads of stacked rigs at Invergordon. Exploration has all but stopped with the low oil price.
https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/north-sea/117394/rigs-stack-off-invergordon/

 

[newbuild100]

The nearest we saw was something like the red legs on the rig on the right of the picture, BUT without the rig itself. Like my O/P, there just seemed to be 4 towers, with no top (and no middle)

Loads of stacked rigs at Invergordon. Exploration has all but stopped with the low oil price.
https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/north-sea/117394/rigs-stack-off-invergordon/

 

[Voyager]

Its a bit late now, but these sites offer a fascinating view of the goings-on at sea.

Warning: you can lose a lot of time in here .

https://www.vesselfinder.com/

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-6/centery:57/zoom:8

Bob.

 

[Posh Pete]

Its a bit late now, but these sites offer a fascinating view of the goings-on at sea.

Warning: you can lose a lot of time in here .

https://www.vesselfinder.com/

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-6/centery:57/zoom:8

Bob.

Great find Bob! Very handy for former BHS employees! https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/LIONHEART-IMO-1012323-MMSI-249613000

 

[Betty Swollocks]

2 oil rigs left Belfast Docks that week after a re-fit, saw one of them leaving Belfast Lough, just not sure what day it was. But they were heading in the direction you pointed out.

Edit... the one I saw had 4 red or orange legs above the surface.