Cape Wind has announced that a team, including three companies based in New Bedford, Mass., is involved with completing geophysical surveys of the developer's project site and offshore cable routes. The 468 MW Cape Wind offshore wind project is planned off the coast of Massachusetts.
Survey vessels with a suite of geophysical instruments are surveying the seafloor and subsea geology on Horseshoe Shoal, as well as along the offshore cable route.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell has welcomed the news, saying, ‘Today's announcement is significant because it is yet another confirmation that existing New Bedford businesses are going to have opportunities to play key roles in the offshore wind industry as projects like Cape Wind accelerate in the months and years ahead.’
New Bedford companies were involved with Cape Wind's prior geotechnical and geophysical work, and the harbor has been used as the assembly area for an offshore jack-up barge.
Ward McIntyre, president of New Bedford-based Fathom Research LLC, says, ‘Over the past four years, Fathom Research LLC has provided various marine services to Cape Wind, and we are pleased to be providing diver-assisted sub-bottom imaging services."
Arvidas Poshkus, president of New Bedford-based A.I.S. Inc., comments, ‘A.I.S. Inc. is pleased to provide the Protected Species Observers for the Cape Wind offshore wind farm project located in Nantucket Sound. AIS observers are following federal guidelines to ensure that marine mammals and sea turtles are not harmed during Cape Wind operations.’
Hercules SLR, also based in New Bedford, has been providing members of the Cape Wind management team with maritime safety training. Other companies helping Cape Wind with its geophysical surveys include Waltham, Mass.-based ESS Group and Old Saybrook, Conn.-based Ocean Surveys Inc.
Cape Wind notes it has filed a Notice to Mariners regarding this survey vessel activity with the U.S. Coast Guard.
