Local News

Nantucket’s south-facing beaches are closed to swimming as debris from a damaged wind turbine washes ashore

"Floating debris and sharp fiberglass shards" from the damaged turbine are landing on nearby beaches.

Eric Haynes / AP, File

July 16, 2024

1 minute to read

Nantucket’s southern-facing beaches are closed to swimming following an incident Saturday that has resulted in a damaged Vineyard Wind turbine sending “floating debris and sharp fiberglass shards” ashore.

On Tuesday, Vineyard Wind announced that it is mobilizing a debris recovery team on the island and is working with the U.S. Coast Guard to create a 500-meter safety zone around the damaged offshore turbine.

“Vineyard Wind is fully committed to a swift and safe recovery of all debris, with an unwavering focus on community safety and environmental protection,” Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, said in a statement.

All #Nantucket South Shore beaches are closed to swimming due to floating debris and sharp fiberglass shards. https://t.co/1sKQz2l5YN
— Nantucket Police (@NantucketPolice) July 16, 2024

General Electric, the project’s turbine and blade manufacturer and installation contractor, is conducting an analysis to determine the root cause of the incident, a spokesperson said.

Vineyard Wind communicated with officials on Nantucket to inform them of the presence of debris.

The company said the debris is made of non-toxic fiberglass fragments, ranging from small pieces to larger sections, and is typically green or white.

Any debris washing ashore, which is about 1 square foot or less, is not hazardous to people or the environment, according to the company. Regardless, the company says patrol teams should be the only ones picking up debris.

The patrol teams, comprised of two teams of four, began walking the southern-facing beaches on Tuesday, searching for and collecting debris.

Teams will visit Miacomet Beach and the southeastern tip of Nantucket, including Nobadeer Beach, Madequecham Beach, Pebble Beach, Tom Nevers Beach, Low Beach, Sconset Beach, as well as any other possibly impacted areas.

Vineyard Wind has already recovered three large fragments and will continue to monitor the offshore area for any floating debris with aerial overflights and vessel patrols.

If members of the public, property owners, or town officials find debris, they are advised to contact Ian Campbell at 781-983-8943 or email [email protected]. Reports of debris can also be sent directly to the cleanup contractor using the Recond Survey (NRCC) link.