RWE has tested its offshore rescue concept at the Nordsee Ost offshore wind farm , located off the coast of Germany. This exercise, which was conducted under realistic conditions, was intended to evaluate the effectiveness of rescue operations for injured technicians at the wind farm.
Rescue operations in extreme conditions
The six-hour exercise included two critical scenarios: the rescue of an injured technician inside a wind turbine and another on the service operations vessel Olympic .
The Maritime Emergency Management Society (MEM) worked closely with RWE in the planning and execution of the exercise, emphasizing the importance of rapid and efficient coordination.
Scenarios for rescue at sea
In the first scenario, a technician was injured inside a turbine. The team of technicians, trained as advanced first responders, stabilized the injured person and called for assistance. Within 30 minutes, a rescue helicopter was deployed from St. Peter-Ording, transporting rescuers and a specialized medic. The injured technician was treated in the wind turbine’s transition section and then lifted onto the helicopter for transport to the nearest hospital.
The second scenario involved an injury aboard the service vessel Olympic. Onboard, a technician received initial medical care in the ship’s treatment room . Using telemedicine, remote diagnoses were performed, and the patient was subsequently evacuated by helicopter to the nearest hospital.
Commitment to safety and operational efficiency
According to Thomas Michel, Chief Operating Officer of RWE Offshore Wind, the exercise demonstrated that rescue operations can only be effectively evaluated under real-world conditions.
Our commitment to safety is unwavering, and these types of exercises allow us to be better prepared for any emergency.
Michel commented.
Furthermore, RWE is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards at its offshore wind farms, ensuring that all maneuvers are carried out efficiently in the event of an emergency.
RWE and its leadership in offshore wind energy
With more than 20 years of experience, RWE remains a world leader in offshore wind energy. The company currently operates 19 offshore wind farms and is developing projects such as Sofia in the United Kingdom , OranjeWind in the Netherlands, and Thor in Denmark. Furthermore, RWE continues to expand its presence in the North Sea with the North Sea Cluster project in Germany.
These types of drills are further proof of RWE’s commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of its operations, which are vital to offshore wind energy production.
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Source and photo: RWE
