Competitions of the Future – Operation of operators at offshore wind farms

In the fifth part of our cycle, we will introduce two professions related to working at offshore wind farms. The first is the ROV operator and the second is the crane operator on land.

Operator ROV – Specialist for remote-controlled submarine

The ROV operator is a key member of the team involved in the construction and operation of offshore wind farms. Its main task is to operate a remote-controlled submarine robot, known as ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), which is used to inspect and install underwater wind turbine structures.

The ROV operator is responsible for preparing the robot for a specific project, checking and configuring it and then controlling it under the water surface.

The operation of the ROV operator involves frequent trips to ships or offshore platforms, which may take up to a few weeks, depending on the project's requirements. This is a shift work lasting 12 hours, performed in a closed room or container from which the operator supervises the operation of the ROV vehicle.

Read more about wind turbine inspector

The daily obligations of the ROV operator include the installation of the vehicle and the testing and preparation for the operation of all its systems. The operator then dips the robot at a depth of up to 4000 metres and controls it from the deck of the auxiliary ship or offshore platform. The operator shall pilot the ROV in carrying out the tasks assigned to it, operate specialised equipment mounted on the vehicle: onboard cameras and sonars, as well as manipulators for simple operations such as lifting items from the bottom, sampling or cable installation. The operator shall transmit, record and interpret the data collected both during and after the dive. In addition, it cooperates with other departments for the equipment and modernisation of ROV vehicles.

Crane operator for offshore wind farm construction

The crane operator working on land, at the installation terminal, plays a key role in the construction of offshore wind farms. Its task is to safely and efficiently transport wind turbine components which are then loaded onto ships and transported to wind farms at sea.

The crane operator's work in the installation terminal requires precision and ability to handle large loads. Each component of the wind turbine, from shovels to towers, must be carefully raised and placed on the ship according to the loading plan. The operator must also take into account atmospheric conditions such as windwhich may affect the safety and effectiveness of operations.

It is also the responsibility of the operator to operate control devices, to control movements of mechanisms and protective devices and to supervise the safety of the work carried out.

Read also: Wind turbine service technician

A land crane specialist must have appropriate certificates and completed training, including UDT and GWO training.

The crane operator's work in the installation terminal is challenging and challenging. Thanks to his skills, the process of loading wind turbine components onto ships is running smoothly, which is a key element in the process of building offshore wind farms.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz