If the turbines are seven metres underwater, can a storm destroy them?
The prevailing weather on the Tasman is from the south west and very large storms are common. However the turbines are protected by the sandbars that surround the harbour mouth. The sandbars limit navigation to vessels with well under five metres draught. Many parts of the sandbars are exposed at low tide. There are over 100 documented shipwrecks around the sandbars. The area in which Crest will install turbines is calmer with the largest waves at about 1.50 metres. The first photograph below is unusual since the waves were created by the current (standing waves), and not by the action of wind or waves from out to sea. Conditions in the harbour mouth can be very dangerous for smaller craft in particular when high winds blow in the opposite direction to the tidal flow, causing choppy seas that can flood a small boat.
