Newport is accustomed to visits from unique ships. But even by the standards of the Rhode Island community known for its love of sailboat racing, the vessel that pulled into Narragansett Bay last weekend was different.
Only the 660-foot-long Thialf won’t be entering America’s Cup Hall of Fame Challenge later this summer.
The hulking Panamanian-flagged crane vessel is headed south of Long Island to install turbine foundations for Empire Wind. The Thialf’s appearance in New England represents the most concrete sign to date that work is resuming on the 54-turbine wind project after President Donald Trump lifted a stop work order last week.
The ship also created a sensation in anti-offshore wind circles. The X account for one group opposed to offshore wind likened it to the Death Star. Another called it disgraceful and said the Rhode Island coast was becoming unrecognizable. A leading fishing advocate and wind opponent sounded alarm about the environmental toll of pile driving foundations in a prime fishing ground.
