In the dynamic world of offshore wind construction, where crews work tirelessly to harness clean energy for New York and beyond, safety remains the unwavering foundation of every operation.

As Sunrise Wind progresses — powering toward commercial operation with its 84 Siemens Gamesa turbines located approximately 30 miles east of Montauk — Sea Services North America has partnered closely with Ørsted to elevate crew protection to new heights.

At the heart of this collaboration is a groundbreaking Man Overboard (MOB) Recovery System, born from a shared commitment to protecting workers during high-risk transfer station activities.

Historically, Sea Services vessels relied on proven but basic MOB protocols. Crews trained rigorously with the Lifesling apparatus, practiced the Williams Turn for locating unseen falls, and perfected visual sighting and manual retrieval techniques. These methods served well for standard operations, and no live recoveries had ever been needed. Crews embraced the drills, confident in their ability to respond swiftly.

But the scale and intensity of work at Sunrise Wind’s transfer stations demanded more.

Tethered technicians now routinely perform critical tasks at heights reaching 100 feet above the ocean. A fall from such elevation could result in serious injury or unconsciousness, complicating traditional recovery efforts. Ørsted recognized this elevated risk during routine safety reviews and moved decisively. They assembled a team of experienced specialists to partner with Sea Services, challenging the team to design a system capable of safely retrieving personnel in any condition — conscious, injured, or unconscious.

Sea Services responded with characteristic ingenuity. Teams visited every vessel operating in the Sunrise Wind lease area, carefully assessing unique rail configurations and deck layouts. No one-size-fits-all solution would suffice. Engineers developed custom rail brackets tailored to each vessel while creating a standardized, transferable MOB Safety Cradle at the system’s core. This versatile cradle, combined with off-the-shelf components and quickly reproducible custom units, ensures rapid deployment and minimal downtime.

The result is a comprehensive, vessel-agnostic recovery system. Detailed installation diagrams accompany every unit, and hands-on training sessions prepare crews before they head to sea. The system integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, providing a reliable lifeline for technicians working high above the waves.

“This partnership exemplifies what’s possible when safety drives innovation,” said a Sea Services project lead. “Ørsted’s proactive approach and our operational expertise have produced a solution that protects lives while supporting the vital construction of Sunrise Wind.”

As turbine installation advances and Sunrise Wind edges closer to delivering clean power to nearly 600,000 New York homes, this MOB Recovery System stands as a powerful symbol of the industry’s dedication to human safety. Every bracket engineered, every training session conducted, and every component tested reinforces a simple truth: behind the turbines and cables powering our future are people — protected, prepared, and proud.

Sea Services North America and Ørsted remain committed to continuous improvement, ensuring that as offshore wind grows along the East Coast, safety innovations keep pace. Because in this high-stakes environment, protecting every worker isn’t just policy — it’s personal.