With safety a primary company value at both Ørsted and Sea Services North America, leaders of both hosted a “Safety Day” at the U.S. Maritime Resource Center in Middletown, RI, in May.

This day-long session came just a few weeks after Sea Services took home the industry’s highest award for safety – Oceantic Network’s Ventus Award for Health, Safety, and Environment, further validation of the company’s focus on a safe working environment for the commercial fishermen in the co-op.

The session was scheduled to prepare crews ahead of the busiest months for operations. It served as a refresher training session that included simulator work, updates on key responsibilities for all crewmen, and a review and celebration of the past year’s operations. More than 30 crewmen attended.

Edward LeBlanc, head of Ørsted Marine Affairs, observed, “By any measure, the joint Ørsted Marine Affairs & Sea Services North America safety day was a tremendous success.  What most impressed me was the culture of safety that permeated vessel captains and crews and Sea Services leadership, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to safety.”

Simulator work included operating in various weather and tide conditions and maneuvering around turbines. The Maritime Resource Center is an independent, nonprofit marine operations and maritime risk research center and education institution focused on navigation and operational safety, maritime risk mitigation, human capital development, raising awareness of international shipping, maritime trade and transport, and contributing to environmental stewardship.

As part of that celebration, Scott Martin, captain of the Mister Marco, was presented with the “Communications Award” for his work in keeping area fishermen aware of activities on the Sunrise Wind project.

Doug Van Verdeghem, Sea Services Operations Manager, highlighted operations over the past year, noting that crews successfully completed 1,423 boat days in 2024 and 836 boat days in 2025 as of the May 21 refresher session. Despite this volume of work focused on array and export cable-lay operations and general scout and safety campaigns, there were no “lost time accidents.”

“Our crews are out in all kinds of conditions, so this is a testament to their skills and professionalism as mariners,” said Gary Yerman, Co-Founder and Fleet Manager. “Their familiarity with both the water in the Northeast’s lease sites and the commercial fishermen working the area has proven to be invaluable to developers when it comes to safety for all involved and the ability to work cooperatively with everyone in the area.”

“Based on what I saw, and comments made afterward, I’d say it was well received by everyone there,” said Mike Plis, Training Manager. “This session set the tone heading into the busy season. It was a time-out to stress everything that contributes to our strong culture of safety.”