Vineyard Wind is mobilising debris recovery teams on Nantucket to survey the southern-facing beaches of the island for the recovery of debris following the recent blade damage incident.
In addition, Vineyard Wind remains focused on ensuring the safety of personnel and mariners in the offshore area and continues to work with the US Coast Guard to maintain a safety zone of 500 metres around the impacted turbine offshore.
The owner of the offshore wind farm is “fully committed to a swift and safe recovery of all debris, with an unwavering focus on community safety and environmental protection”.
Vineyard Wind has recovered three large fragments and will continue to monitor the offshore area for any floating debris with aerial overflights and vessel patrols.
As part of its immediate action plan, Vineyard Wind communicated with officials on Nantucket to inform them of the presence of debris and recovery efforts on the southern-facing beaches of the island.
On 13 July Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners reported that a GE Vernova Haliade-X turbine blade had been damaged at the under-construction 800MW Vineyard Wind project off the US north-east coast.
Vineyard Wind is deploying two teams of four individuals to Nantucket to remove debris which consists of non-toxic fiberglass fragments ranging in size from small pieces to larger sections, typically green or white in color.
Any potential debris washing ashore will be pieces one square foot or less, which should only be picked up and collected by patrol teams.
Although the fiberglass fragments are not hazardous to people or the environment, Vineyard Wind recommends that only its employees or contractors collect and remove the debris.
Starting today, 16 July 2024, and continuing for several days, Vineyard Wind will deploy trained individuals to walk the southern-facing beaches to collect debris.
Patrol teams will inspect the areas in the morning and evening.
Teams will visit Miacomet Beach and the Southeastern tip of Nantucket, including Nobadeer Beach, Madequecham Beach, Pebble Beach, Tom Nevers Beach, Low Beach, and Sconset Beach, or other areas where debris may wash ashore.