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February 21, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following is being distributed at the request of the Hibernia Tow Out Committee:

The Hibernia Tow Out Committee along with its sponsors the Oil Development and Allied Trades Council (ODC), Molson Breweries and the Cabot 500 Celebrations will be on hand for the Hibernia tow out of topside structure and mating with the Gravity Base Structure. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25 weather permitting in Sunnyside, Trinity Bay. This is the beginning of the movement of the heaviest man-made structure. This is also the beginning of a new oil industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This tow out begins the 30 hour process of moving the topside from the pier. It will take another six hours to tow it away from the pier and an additional six hours to move it to the Gravity Base.

The community of Sunnyside will have a fantastic view as the 37,000 tonne topside unit drifts out of the hills that surround Mosquito Cove and moves towards the Gravity Base that is anchored at the mouth of Sunnyside Harbour. From a lookout, developed with the assistance of the ODC, the audience will be able to watch the final four hours of this movement and mating.

The position of the viewing platform will allow for an uninterrupted view that is not available from any other location. The Production Platform will remain moored at this position until it begins the tow to the Grand Banks later this spring.

As the event depends solely on weather the exact time is not known. To find out the progress of the event please call the Hibernia Tow Out Committee number.

The media and the public are invited to visit Sunnyside and catch a glimpse of history in the making.

The Tow Out Committee is comprised of a number of volunteer organizations from the Trinity Bay Area. The efforts of this group have been supported in part by sponsorship of the ODC, Molson Breweries and Cabot 500 Celebrations.

For further information on the Sunnyside viewing area Tow Out Committee events, contact Paula Eddy or Patricia Cumby at the Tow Out Promotion Office (709) 583-2268 or Fax: (709) 583-2270.