Vineyard Wind, which is building the first commercial-scale offshore wind energy project in the
U.S. south of Martha’s Vineyard, is to pilot deployment and testing of a secondary bubble curtain
during foundation installations.
A bubble curtain system is comprised of large, perforated hoses which specialized air
compressors fill with compressed air. As the air emerges from the hoses, it creates massive
amounts of bubbles which absorb and dampen sound during foundation installation. The hoses
are placed on the seafloor around the monopile before being filled by compressed air. Once the
hoses are inflated, the air escapes through the perforations and creates a barrier of bubbles that
reduce noise.
Vineyard Wind is partnering with ThayerMahan of Groton, Ct. for the pilot program to do the
installation. Hydrotechnik-Lübeck (HTL), a German company which developed the technology ,
will move its headquarters for its bubble curtain acoustic mitigation product line to New
Bedford, sharing part of the Foss Marine Terminal.
The bubble curtain deployment operations will be conducted using Northstar Marine’s Northstar
Navigator, a 265-foot Jones Act anchor handler that is one of two vessels acquired by the
company last year in response to the continued pick up of U.S. East Coast offshore wind work.
At Hofmann & Schweitzer, we will continue to update you on the status of where and when these
excellent construction and maritime job opportunities in the wind energy development field will
occur. We will be there for the needs of labor if you or your loved one is injured, which can be
disastrous to your family.
