Portions of the remaining hanging sections of the Vineyard Wind turbine blade have detached from the hub. This controlled detachment follows a series of exercises conducted late last week to pitch the blade, which, combined with storm winds, led to the safe separation of sections below the root of the blade.
Vineyard Wind and GE Vernova are currently assessing the situation to determine if any remaining sections pose a risk of detachment. The root of the blade, still attached to the turbine, is being monitored, with plans in place for its removal. Vineyard Wind has maritime crews on site to secure and contain any debris immediately.
The U.S. Coast Guard continues to enforce a 500-metre safety exclusion zone around the turbine. Vineyard Wind is using ocean current and wind pattern models to predict potential debris movement. Depending on wind direction, more debris could arrive on Nantucket beaches in the coming hours or days.
