Former Adversary Turns Wind Farm Friend, Plans Tours

BARNSTABLE (AP) -- A Massachusetts ferry company that once raised concerns about construction of a wind farm in Nantucket Sound is now embracing the energy project as a tourist destination.

Hy-Line Cruises and wind farm developer Cape Wind are scheduled to announce a deal Monday to create tours of planned 130 wind turbines being erected off the coast of Cape Cod.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports.

David Scudder, Hy-Line vice president of operations, tells the Cape Cod Times he envisions a "world class tourist attraction."

Hy-Line had raised navigational concerns since the wind farm was first proposed in 2001. Scudder says those concerns have been addressed through the 10-year permitting process.

Hy-Line will build a special hybrid boat to take tourists to the area.

Cape Wind President Jim Gordon says trips through the wind farm will be "awe inspiring."

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