Debris from the broken blade of a wind turbine from the Vineyard Wind project is likely to reach West Island soon as foam pieces were spotted by people fishing just a couple of miles away on 8/5/24, and debris has already been confirmed on Westport beaches. Photo graphic by ML Baron, westislandweather.com
By ML Baron, WestIslandWeather.com
“With the current sea and wind conditions, debris likely will be washing ashore at West Island (if it hasn’t already) before the day is out,” said one fisherman on 8/5/14, who brought the foam to us and wished to remain anonymous.
Chunks of foam in a massive debris field were spotted by several fishermen less than four miles off shore and headed towards Fairhaven beaches and West Island. A strong southerly wind almost makes impact inevitable.
Foam debris chunks brought in a bucket (upper right inset of photo) to The West Island Weather Station showed the tell-tale identifying marks of foam from the offshore turbine blade mishap.
Debris continues to be spotted from Westport to Nantucket beaches after a 351-foot long turbine blade apparently snapped off and splashed to splinters in the ocean on July 13, 2024.
Several news outlets have reported that GE Vernova said “a manufacturing issue” led to the Vineyard Wind turbine blade failure, and that there were no indications of an engineering flaw.
Most of the 70-ton blade’s 350-foot section fell into the ocean with debris washing ashore on Nantucket, between July 13 and the 18th.
The project was halted as a Federal probe continues. Important questions include, if this was an isolated incident or might the other blades have defects that could fail as well.
The Fairhaven Harbormaster urged residents who find debris to contact him at 508-962-1416.
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