In this issue:
Interviews with the Crew: Q&A with SouthCoast Staff
Real Time Metocean Data Available
2021 Survey Campaign Underway
Geophysical and geotechnical (G&G) surveys that provide key data about the seafloor and subsea for evaluation in the ongoing project design and permitting process continue on for the Falmouth, MA route, and soon will transition to a route that will reach our recently announced additional interconnection point at Brayton Point in Somerset, MA.
Multiple vessels are conducting the surveys both within SouthCoast Wind’s federal offshore lease area and along potential export cable routing through the end of the year. The 2021 surveys continue data acquisition work started in 2019.
- All survey activities are performed in accordance with federal and state regulations and health and safety policies and procedures
- Notifications are provided to the US Coast Guard and Department of Navy
- Vessels have on board Protected Species Observers operators to identify and appropriately manage any issues involving protected marine wildlife, especially marine mammals and sea turtles
- Lease area vessels have on board Fisheries Representatives to identify and appropriately manage any issues involving fisheries
- Active coordination is underway with the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association and Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island to minimize impacts to fisheries in the survey areas
Download the Geophysical Surveys Fact Sheet PDF
Photo contest winner from Go Pursuit
Falmouth Road Race Countdown
SouthCoast Wind is excited to be a Gold Level sponsor of this year’s Falmouth Road Race! This iconic Massachusetts race will take place on Sunday, August 15th, but SouthCoast representatives will be in Falmouth throughout the weekend both running and at our company booth. SouthCoast Wind is proud to be working with the Falmouth community and will be happy to answer any questions you may have during Road Race weekend. We look forward to seeing you there!
Interviews with the Crew:
Q&A with SouthCoast Staff
Kelly Smith, Onshore Project Manager
Q: Tell us about your background.
Kelly: I moved to Massachusetts from Philadelphia for my undergrad at Tufts and have stayed around ever since. I studied Experimental and Environmental Engineering at Tufts. I worked as as a water resources engineering consultant at three different companies. I actually wasn’t necessarily planning to go back for a Master’s, but I was really interested in offshore wind, and I saw the new program being announced in their alumni newsletters. So that’s why I went back for the Offshore Wind Energy Engineering program.
Q: Who inspired you to work for your goals in offshore wind?
Kelly: I had a really great experience working with, and learning from, Eric Hines, the director of the Tufts program. And, Barbara Kates-Garnick, the former Massachusetts Undersecretary of Energy and professor at The Fletcher School—she was just a great mentor.
Q: And what about your involvement with New England Women in Energy and Environment (NEWIEE)?
Kelly: I joined NEWIEE before grad school and now I am a board member and chair the website subcommittee. You realize that it’s a small world in energy. NEWIEE is an incredibly supportive network of women. The founder is Judy Chang, who currently serves in the role Barbara Kates-Garnick previously held in State Government. Having a seat at the table with these incredible women is really inspiring.
Michael McMahon, Procurement Analyst
Q: Tell us about your background.
Mike: I grew up in two parts of Massachusetts. My parents were split up so I lived outside Boston or in Bourne—depending on the year, I would spend the school year with one and vacations with the other. I finished my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern. I enrolled in Tufts’ Masters Engineering Management program because I was interested in offshore wind.
Q: How procurement came into play?
Mike: During and after college I worked for a couple of large advertising agencies. I joined the military. After I left active duty, I worked in procurement for the Department of Defense. This was also when offshore wind started coming into the picture. I decided that I was not interested in advertising or the military, though I pursued both. I just followed a passion.
Q: What is the best thing about your job?
Mike: Because I’m in Contracts and Procurement (C&P), I jump around a bit out of necessity. I worked with the G&G survey operations and then I got plugged into planning for turbines and foundations. I worked with the electrical engineering group and now I’m working on economic development initiatives. Projects like this are so big and so complex. There’s not one thing you do that doesn’t have 12 other implications.
Real Time Metocean Data Available
SouthCoast Wind has partnered with the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) to share real-time weather and ocean data collected by the buoy for mariners and the scientific community to use. NERACOOS mission is to produce, integrate, and communicate high quality information that helps ensure safety, economic and environmental resilience, and sustainable use of the coastal ocean. SouthCoast Wind’s floating buoy data will help to support these efforts and help to inform other research efforts in the Atlantic region. Visit NERACOOS to view the data.