WF1 Trial Rescue Operation Deemed a Success

Seattle, WA (USA), November 15, 2012 – Principle Power, Inc. (Principle Power), in cooperation with Windplus S.A., is pleased to announce the successful completion of an emergency rescue drill at the Aguçadoura WindFloat Prototype (WF1). The operation, which was focused on the validation of health and safety procedures, had the support of the local Maritime Authorities, the MRCC, the Portuguese Air Force, and the Portuguese Navy. 

The scenario chosen for the emergency rescue drill included an injured maintenance worker requiring immediate air evacuation from WF1. The existing health and safety procedures in place for the project were used as the basis for the operation. The Portuguese Air Force provided two helicopters, an EH-101 Merlin and an Alouette III. Additionally, two vessels from the Póvoa de Varzim Lifeguard Station and a high-speed craft from the Maritime Police participated in the offshore operation. A video of the operation, produced by the Portuguese Air Force, is available on YouTube.

This demonstration further validated the emergency response plan developed for the first offshore wind turbine in Portugal. WF1 has been in operation since October, 2011 and is located approximately 5km offshore of Aguçadoura, Portugal. "We are extremely pleased with the validation of our offshore health and safety procedures," said Alda Martins, Portugal Country Manager for Principle Power. "We thank our partners in the drill, who were essential for the successful demonstration of the rescue."