Wind turbine debris washes up on Nantucket shores closing beaches
Vineyard Wind is sending patrol teams to piece up potentially thousands of pieces of debris along Natucket's southern facing shores. The company said the pieces are not 'hazardous' but recommends people not touch the debris.
Wind turbine debris washes up in Nantucket
Video shows pieces of a Vineyard Wind turbine washing up on the south shore beaches of Nantucket.
NANTUCKET, Mass. – Large chunks of a damaged wind turbine from Vineyard Wind continue to wash up on Nantucket's south shore beaches this week after a failure over the weekend.
Vineyard Wind said in a statement that a blade was damaged on a wind turbine on Saturday evening. The company announced a cleanup effort on Tuesday for the southern-facing shores of the island as hundreds of pieces of large and small debris continue to wash up.
On Tuesday, the Nantucket Harbormaster closed all south shore beaches because of the debris.
Multiple photos show fiberglass pieces from Vinyard Wind turbines washing up on the southern shores of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
(@realheatherunruh/Instagram)
"All south shore beaches are closed to swimming, due to large floating debris and sharp fiberglass shards. Please go to the North shore to swim, there are lifeguards there ready to help," the Nantucket Harbormaster said.
The town of Nantucket said walking is permitted but "we advise that you use caution, wear appropriate footwear, and leave pets at home."
Video and photos shared with FOX Weather show pieces of green and white fiberglass in large pieces and small chunks washing up with the waves and lining the beaches. Fiberglass is a type of plastic that is not biodegradable.
Vineyard Wind deployed two teams to Nantucket to remove debris. The company said the pieces are "not hazardous to people or the environment" but recommends that the public not touch them.
![Debris from a Vineyard Wind turbine on Nantucket south shore beaches on July 16, 2024.]()
Image 1 of 4Debris from a Vineyard Wind turbine on Nantucket south shore beaches on July 16, 2024. (Town of Nantucket )
![Debris from a Vineyard Wind turbine on Nantucket south shore beaches on July 16, 2024.]()
Image 2 of 4Debris from a Vineyard Wind turbine on Nantucket south shore beaches on July 16, 2024. (Town of Nantucket )
![Debris from a Vineyard Wind turbine on Nantucket south shore beaches on July 16, 2024.]()
Image 3 of 4Debris from a Vineyard Wind turbine on Nantucket south shore beaches on July 16, 2024. (Town of Nantucket )
![Multiple photos show fiberglass pieces from Vineyard Wind turbines washing up on the southern shores of Nantucket, Massachusetts.]()
Image 4 of 4Multiple photos show fiberglass pieces from Vineyard Wind turbines washing up on the southern shores of Nantucket, Massachusetts. (@realheatherunruh/Instagram)
Beginning Tuesday, patrol teams will be walking Miacomet Beach, Nobadeer Beach, Madequecham Beach, Pebble Beach, Tom Nevers Beach, Low Beach, and Sconset Beach as they pick up debris.
Anyone who finds debris can find contact information to report it to Vineyard Winds here.
It's unclear how long the cleanup efforts will continue.
Vineyard Wind, the country's largest commercial offshore wind farm, began construction in January 2023 and started operating in January.