Offshore Wind Farms

[Bob Kuba]

Evanston, IL, One of the cities just 15 miles north of Chicago has announced that it intends to study the feasibility of an offshore wind farm that would be located 6 - 9 miles from shore in Lake Michigan. The project would take up about 1 square mile and consist of approx. 10 wind turbines.

Does anyone have any experiences navigating or sailing around these areas?
These projects seem to be gaining momentum here in the states.

The US offshore wind market is finally ramping up: Though no projects have been completed yet, Oregon, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Delaware  all have offshore wind farms in various stages of development. Meanwhile in Europe, offshore development continues strongly.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/denmark-to-get-another-offshore-wind-farm-207-megawatt-rodsand-2.php

[Ken Heyman]

Bob,

I would be curious what the current charts show as respects these farms. It may be useful for sailors to know the height of the low arc trajectory and pilots might be interested in the high arc. I would hate to have my mast "circumcised" by a turbine blade weighing many 10s of tons (unless a Rabbi is present). I successfully navigated around wind turbines on a recent road trip but that wasn't as challenging.

Ken

[Bob Kuba]

Well,

If what's happening in Martha's Vineyard is any indication, this project will never get off the ground.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/04/20/cape.cod.wind.farm/index.html?hpt=C1

[sailingdream]

Here is update to a battle that's going on, on Lake Ontario east of Toronto.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/797748--wind-farm-opponents-blocked-again

[Bob Kuba]

I think they'll be a tourist attraction, and boats are going to weave in and out of them."

Finally, a way to recapture my C34 investment!