Big Max Starts Laying Block Island Subsea Export Cable

The CLB Big Max has started laying the subsea cable which will export power generated by the first US offshore wind farm, the 30MW Block Island developed by Deepwater Wind, to Block Island.

The Big Max started laying the eight-mile-long cable from Town Beach on Block Island to the wind farm last week, and the work will take about ten days.

The cable laying vessel is supported by Megan T. Miller, Sorensen Miller and Abigail Miller, which act as crew transfer vessels and safety vessels.

Laying of the subsea cable which will connect Block Island to the grid on the mainland has reportedly been postponed due to drilling delays.

The Big Max will install the 20-mile subsea link from Block Island to Narragansett, Rhode Island, once the export cable connecting the five Haliade 6MW turbines with Block Island is in place.

The Haliade turbines are expected to be installed this summer, and the wind farm is planned for commissioning by the end of 2016.

Offshore WIND Staff