The stricken Transocean Winner oil rig is set to be towed to Turkey around the end of this month.
The platform will be transferred out of the water and onto a heavy lift semi-
The rig's owner, Transocean, are in advanced discussions over a contract for chartering a barge and tugs.
Hugh Shaw, the UK Government's salvage supervisor, said the operation to load the rig onto the vessel may commence later in September.
Until then, the structure will remain at an anchorage in Broad Bay on the east coast of Lewis.
It is presently attached to seven anchors and an anchor handling vessel.
Plans to carry out temporary repairs at the location were dropped this week.
When it is due to be leave, salvage tugs will tow it out to deeper water to be transferred onto the barge.
If it is possible, Transocean hopes to meet with the local community to "explain the sequence of events and likely timescale."
Stricken oil rig to be taken direct to scrapyard in Turkey
2 September 2016