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Nantucket beaches reopen, Vineyard Wind pauses operations after damaged turbine sends debris ashore
Vineyard Wind was ordered to temporarily cease operations by the federal government due to the "blade failure incident."
Nantucket’s south-facing beaches reopened to swimming Wednesday after debris from a damaged wind turbine coming ashore forced some of the island’s beaches to close the day before.
A federal agency ordered Vineyard Wind to temporarily cease operations due to an incident over the weekend that left a wind turbine blade seriously damaged.
The company sent eight people to the beaches on Tuesday to recover the debris, which includes nontoxic fiberglass shards. The Town of Nantucket closed those beaches to swimming “as a precautionary measure.”
The Town said Wednesday that “the majority of the debris has been cleared” but still advised beachgoers to wear footwear and leave their pets at home.
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“We appreciate the swift actions of lifeguards and staff in clearing the debris and making it possible to reopen the beaches,” the Town shared. “Lifeguards will continue to monitor the water for any remaining floating debris, and regular updates will be provided to ensure ongoing safety.”
As of Wednesday morning, Vineyard Wind said they removed 17 cubic yards of debris, or more than six truckloads, and several larger pieces. The company contracted a local construction firm for the clean-up and sent about two dozen more of their employees to the island as well.
“We’re making progress in the debris recovery efforts and mobilizing even more resources on the island to hasten the cleanup as quickly as possible,” Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller said in a statement. “The public can have confidence that we will be here as long as it takes to get the job done and make sure the beaches are cleaned up.”
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The Nantucket Current shared images of lifeguards, residents, and visitors all dragging the large green and white fiberglass shards, fitting smaller pieces in trash bags, and towing the debris off the beaches. The Town of Nantucket said their staff are wearing protective gear and footwear when dealing with the debris.
Vineyard Wind said they will continue to monitor Miacomet Beach, Nobadeer Beach, Madequecham Beach, Pebble Beach, Tom Nevers Beach, Low Beach, and Sconset Beach throughout the week.
Vineyard Wind ordered to cease operations
Previously, General Electric, the turbine and blade manufacturer and installation contractor, said an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The New Bedford Light reported that one of the 350-foot blades was dangling from the turbine earlier in the week.
Due to the “blade failure incident,” the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement ordered Vineyard Wind to cease power production until it can determine if other turbines could be affected.
The BSEE said there are no reports of injuries to “any marine resources or mammals.”
Vineyard Wind, described as the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the country, began delivering energy from five of the planned 62 wind turbines in February. The farm is about 15 miles south of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
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Representatives from Vineyard Wind and GE will appear in-person at Nantucket’s Select Board meeting Wednesday night, Select Board Chair Brooke Mohr said in a video statement.
“The impacts of this event will continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks,” Mohr said. “Vineyard Wind is fully responsible for the repercussions on Nantucket, and both town administration and the Select Board will pursue every remedy available to use to ensure they are held accountable.”
Vineyard Wind is asking the public to report debris to their hotline at 833-609-5768 or at this link.
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