MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MA — A significant incident at the Vineyard Wind construction site has led to the temporary closure of several beaches on Nantucket.
The company that is building the turbine, Vineyard Wind says more damage is on its way.
Vineyard Wind has issued a new alert regarding the deteriorating condition of a damaged wind turbine blade off Martha’s Vineyard, warning of more debris falling into the ocean. The company confirmed late Wednesday night that there is an “observed compromise to the integrity” of the blade, which had already sustained significant damage earlier in the week.
Despite part of the blade still being attached, Vineyard Wind expressed concerns that it could fully detach in the near future. “While part of the blade remains attached to the turbine, we believe there is an increased possibility it could detach soon,” stated the company.
As a precaution, a 500-meter safety zone has been established around the turbine and has been under constant surveillance since Saturday night. The company has also mobilized a response team as more debris has been observed entering the water.
The situation has prompted notifications to federal, state, local, and tribal authorities, including the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which has already suspended work at the site. Vineyard Wind’s proactive measures aim to mitigate any further environmental impact and ensure the safety of marine and coastal areas.
While the company says the blade has not detached, one group has provided photos that question the company’s statement.
Pictures obtained by the New England Fishermen’s Safety Association (NEFSA) reveal that a fiberglass blade has detached from a windmill, though Vineyard Wind claims the blade has not completely fallen into the ocean. Despite the company’s assertions that they “quickly recovered three large pieces from the ocean,” the complete blade is reportedly missing from sight in the provided images, raising questions about the turbine’s integrity and environmental safety.
The situation has sparked a call for transparency from Vineyard Wind, with concerns about the potential environmental impact and safety hazards such incidents could pose. NEFSA CEO Jerry Leeman highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting the potential recurrent nature of such failures and their catastrophic environmental implications. “The scariest thing about this incident is that it could happen again,” Leeman said, emphasizing the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic which could lead to further incidents. He also pointed out the severe environmental effects, such as threats to marine life from non-biodegradable fiberglass fragments and the potential contamination of the food web.
This incident has alarmed local communities, environmentalists, and the fishing industry, all of whom are seeking assurances about measures to prevent future occurrences and the immediate steps being taken to mitigate the current situation’s impact.
“The scariest thing about this incident is that it could happen again. As a fisherman, I know how powerful and volatile the North Atlantic is. If this blade fell off on a beautiful summer day, what will happen during a winter squall or a hurricane?,” NEFSA CEO Jerry Leeman said today. “The environmental effects are tragic. Shards of fiberglass, which are not biodegradable, are a huge threat to whales, dolphins, and porpoises, some of which are endangered. Nanoparticles from the fiberglass could even enter the food web if zooplankton mistake particles for forage. This slow-rolling disaster is a serious threat to fishery sustainability.”
Officials in New Jersey, who have been protesting a massive 1,400-wind turbine farm project off the Jersey Shore coast, are closely monitoring the situation in Massachusetts.
