Broken Vineyard Wind Turbine Blade Detaches, Water Cleanup Begins

This story was updated at 12:15 p.m.

MASSACHUSETTS — A "significant part" of the broken wind turbine blade that has closed Nantucket beaches after littering them with debris detached from the turbine this morning, officials said.

Vineyard Wind announced Wednesday they observed a "compromise to the integrity" of the turbine. A part of the remaining blade detached this morning and now cleanup efforts are underway.

Company officials had already set up a 500-meter safety zone around the turbine, which has been under constant surveillance since the break.

"Maritime crews were onsite overnight preparing to respond to this development, though current weather conditions create a difficult working environment," company officials said.

"Despite these challenging weather conditions, a fleet of vessels remains at sea managing the situation and working to remove bulk debris. We have deployed additional crews to Nantucket Island in anticipation that more debris could wash ashore tonight and tomorrow as we continue to monitor additional coastal communities."

Company officials said GE Vernova, the company that makes the blades, is in the process of removing the remaining blade still attached to the turbine.

Vineyard Wind said they will work with officials to keep the public abreast of the situation, but also offered resources for those who find debris.

"If debris is found by members of the public, property owners, or local officials, they are advised to immediately contact our reporting hotline: 833-609-5768. Reports of debris can also be sent directly to the cleanup contractor at this link: Recon Survey (NRCC) (arcgis.com)," officials said.

Nantucket officials said they were informed the blade detached around 6:40 a.m. on Thursday.

Vineyard Wind officials are collecting fiberglass pieces at the site and a "very large" piece of debris is below the surface. Town officials said they've been told Vineyard Wind will try to remove that large piece while it is still offshore.

Vineyard Wind released a full statement on Wednesday about the possibility of the blade detaching, which is included below:

“This evening there was an observed compromise to the integrity of the GE Vernova blade. While part of the blade remains attached to the turbine, we believe there is an increased possibility it could detach soon. There has been a 500-meter safety zone implemented around the turbine and GE Vernova blade since Saturday night, and it has been under constant surveillance.

We have mobilized our response team and have also witnessed new debris enter the water. Vineyard Wind is in the process of notifying the U.S. Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the National Response Center, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Tribal nations, Regional Emergency Planning Committees for Dukes and Barnstable Counties, the Town of Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and surrounding coastal communities.

Vineyard Wind will continue to coordinate closely with its state, federal, local, and tribal partners to respond to this evolving situation while continuing to prioritize the safety of its personnel, its contractors, and the environment.”

Company officials said the turbine damage happened on Saturday, prompting a response and cleanup efforts from the company but also closing swimming at south shore beaches on the island.

Vineyard Wind's "operations are shut down until further notice," the federal Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement said this week.

On Tuesday, the company announced it is "mobilizing debris recovery teams on Nantucket to survey the southern-facing beaches of the island for the recovery of debris following the blade damage incident."

Vineyard Wind is deploying "trained individuals" to walk the southern-facing beaches to collect debris. Patrol teams will inspect the areas in the morning and evening.

These 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.

Nantucket officials have closed the beaches to swimming and have yet to provide a range for reopening.

The harbormaster told the Nantucket Current that the decision was made due to "large floating debris and sharp fiberglass shards."

Residents and visitors can still walk the beaches, but it's advised they do so with shoes on due to the debris.

As of Wednesday, Vineyard Wind officials said 17 cubic yards of debris — enough to fill more than six truckloads — and several larger pieces that washed ashore have been removed from beaches on Nantucket.

That number will grow substantially now that additional cleanup is underway.