GWO develops training standards and is a certifying agency led by industry leaders. The safety portion is critical. All who work on the positions offshore will need this training. The requirements for going out on a vessel and gaining access to the wind turbines include the five GWO elements:
- 1. Basic offshore training/onshore training
- 2. GWO first aid training
- 3. Working at heights/rescue
- 4. Fire awareness training
- 5. Sea survival training
In October 2020, Virginia’s Governor, Ralph Northam, announced the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance. The New College Institute, which will serve as the host institution, is joining forces with Centura College and the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy to create the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance. It’s likely they are offering four of the five modules, with the exception of the sea survival training.
Currently, FMTC Safety in Houma, Louisiana and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, are the two entities that offer the full training, which takes a week to complete.
It’s important to note that GWO training is good for two years, then you have return for a refresher (same level of training).