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A mysterious buoy that came ashore on Fire Island’s Atlantique Beach this weekend — and remained there as of late Monday afternoon — has been identified as property of Boskalis, a dredging and offshore marine services company extremely active in the growing offshore wind industry.
The buoy, initially spotted by beachgoers and local residents, has bar code tags affixed to it in at least two places that read “Boskalis E&l Services/Survey Department.” Aside from that, there are no visible government markings or identification.
Sitting ominously on the beach, the buoy features solar panels, a blinking light after dark, and what appeared to be a listening device (there’s a large cord labeled “hydrophone”) on its underside. The equipment appeared clean, with no algae or other marine growth.
Mystery remains
Susan Barbash, a Fire Island resident for nearly 70 years who lives just minutes from where the buoy washed up, shared her reaction to its unexpected arrival.
“I’ve been living here since I was 4. And now I’m over 70. And I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said. “I’ve never seen a huge buoy wash up on shore. It appears to be brand new.”
“My husband said he felt like he was in the opening or closing shot of a sci-fi movie — it reminded us of the Statue of Liberty scene on the beach from ‘Planet of the Apes,'” she added.
Boskalis is a leader in the offshore wind market. The company says on its website it has contributed to more than 100 offshore wind farms globally, boasting a successful track record in every phase of offshore wind projects.
In the Long Island region, Boskalis was deeply involved in the South Fork Wind Farm project, a renewable energy initiative expected to supply power to tens of thousands of households once fully operational.
The project, located about 35 miles southeast of Montauk, is New York State’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm. It is expected to generate about 132 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power roughly 70,000 homes, and is a key part of the state’s goal to reach 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2035.
Speculations abounds
Barbash’s sister speculated that the buoy likely broke loose while being towed to its intended offshore location, possibly to monitor currents and wind conditions for nearby wind farms.
Suffolk County Police, Islip Town officials and the U.S. Coast Guard have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the buoy’s presence or plans for removal. The Islip Town Parks Department manages the area where the buoy came to shore.
Greater Long Island also tried to reach representatives in Boskalis’ corporate communications in the Netherlands. The company yet to respond.
Huge buoy sits on Atlantique Beach
Barbash documented the striking sight of the giant buoy with photos taken on the beach, showcasing the size and position of the buoy.
Top image: Video still (Credit: Susan Barbash)
