Fukushima Hamakaze Spar Tilts Back Into Position

The advanced spar floating foundation built to support the 5MW Fukushima Hamakaze structure off Japan has recovered stability after it tilted while under tow in Osaka Bay last week.

The advanced spar floater was en route from Hitachi-Zosen’s dockyard in Sakai to the Sumoto port when it tilted due to an uncontrolled water ingress during the planned submersion of the foundation on 9 May, according to the Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA).

The constructor let the water inside the floater to stabilize it onto the shallow seabed, in order to prepare it for the installation of the 5MW wind turbine. The water reportedly rushed to one side of the structure, causing a 45 degree tilt.

The foundation was uprighted on 14 May after the contractor managed to evenly spread the water within the floater.

The accident has delayed the project by five days, according to JWPA.

The Fukushima Hamakaze is expected to set sail to the installation site off Fukushima in July.