TRENTON—It was hard to get detailed information when everyone involved in a project onsite today said they were not allowed to discuss the project, but the University of Maine's Advanced Structures and Composite Center's newest addition to its VolturnUS program failed to float today.
I know what you mean about the difficulty of writing an article when "no comment" is the answer to every question. I've been watching the construction of this beast from the very beginning and "no comment" was the same answer I received, plus a friendly reminder that "no photos allowed." Given that not one, but two, public publicly funded institutions were involved I find the "no comment" response somewhat disturbing. Why all the secrecy, one wonders. A local fisherman was recently on record as suggesting that they wanted to keep news of this project away from Maine's fisherman who almost universally oppose the construction of wind turbines because of the resultant loss of fishing ground. Could be. All said I will add that given the less than candid attitude of the University of Maine and MMA the article was well researched and well written. I more and more am impressed with the quality of journalism repeatedly apparent in The Bar Harbor Story...and it's free to boot! Pretty good return on the dollar and I just became a paid subscriber.
Was told the airbags failed to stay underwater due to straps stretching.. might be a lot more to report bon at next high tide because it's odd the craft would not float with out airbag assistance. Bets are being made that the water is not deep enough to float it out of the bay
I am afraid you might not understand the design concepts involved in constructing this tower base. The bottom section is made of heavy concrete which does not "float" but rather serves as ballast to stabilize the platform which in turn supports the turbine tower. The assembly doesn't begin to float until the concrete base is entirely submerged, thus the need for the air bags. Trouble is even at high tide the water at the ramp is hardly sufficient to launch at large boat let along a turbine tower.
Been part of many launching at that location going back to 1976 and I have seen first hand the trouble you noted but that block of steel and concrete being held a float by air bags is trouble to a hold different degree . When I asked a workman on Sunday afternoon if things didn't go as planned he was very candid about it and stated clearly what they planned to do to right the ship going forward. Truly glad they got it floated and happy no one asked me not to take photos. I Thought it was very impressive and a very bold challenge.
Heck having been in the boat business here for many years I have had trouble launching small boats at this ramp at anything other than high tide. Figures that a large object would have even more difficulty. As to the air bag idea...they work well in raising sunken objects but by their very nature ain't great at keeping things level or directionally stage. When all else fails get out the float bags and cross ya fingers.
I know what you mean about the difficulty of writing an article when "no comment" is the answer to every question. I've been watching the construction of this beast from the very beginning and "no comment" was the same answer I received, plus a friendly reminder that "no photos allowed." Given that not one, but two, public publicly funded institutions were involved I find the "no comment" response somewhat disturbing. Why all the secrecy, one wonders. A local fisherman was recently on record as suggesting that they wanted to keep news of this project away from Maine's fisherman who almost universally oppose the construction of wind turbines because of the resultant loss of fishing ground. Could be. All said I will add that given the less than candid attitude of the University of Maine and MMA the article was well researched and well written. I more and more am impressed with the quality of journalism repeatedly apparent in The Bar Harbor Story...and it's free to boot! Pretty good return on the dollar and I just became a paid subscriber.
Hope that big boy made it to it's mooring. Looks a little top heavy and could turn over very quickly. Glad to hear it floated at least
My son-in-law works for RWE. Can't wait to see if the King Tide is enough to get it moving.
Was told the airbags failed to stay underwater due to straps stretching.. might be a lot more to report bon at next high tide because it's odd the craft would not float with out airbag assistance. Bets are being made that the water is not deep enough to float it out of the bay
I am afraid you might not understand the design concepts involved in constructing this tower base. The bottom section is made of heavy concrete which does not "float" but rather serves as ballast to stabilize the platform which in turn supports the turbine tower. The assembly doesn't begin to float until the concrete base is entirely submerged, thus the need for the air bags. Trouble is even at high tide the water at the ramp is hardly sufficient to launch at large boat let along a turbine tower.
Been part of many launching at that location going back to 1976 and I have seen first hand the trouble you noted but that block of steel and concrete being held a float by air bags is trouble to a hold different degree . When I asked a workman on Sunday afternoon if things didn't go as planned he was very candid about it and stated clearly what they planned to do to right the ship going forward. Truly glad they got it floated and happy no one asked me not to take photos. I Thought it was very impressive and a very bold challenge.
Heck having been in the boat business here for many years I have had trouble launching small boats at this ramp at anything other than high tide. Figures that a large object would have even more difficulty. As to the air bag idea...they work well in raising sunken objects but by their very nature ain't great at keeping things level or directionally stage. When all else fails get out the float bags and cross ya fingers.