Offshore Wind Farm Accidents

Offshore jobs in the maritime industry are often dangerous. Safety has become important as the U.S. begins building and operating offshore wind farms. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a wind farm accident, contact a maritime lawyer to seek compensation.

About Offshore Wind Farms

An offshore wind farm is a source of alternative and renewable energy. A collection of turbines located in the ocean is often called a wind farm. The turbines on wind farms can be as tall as 500 feet.

Wind power is a growing industry that currently supplies 10% of the electricity generated in the U.S., both from offshore and land installations. There is a huge potential for converting the energy of strong offshore winds into usable energy and power for buildings on land.

Federal funding recently led to a nearly $3 billion investment in offshore wind farms. This means many more workers will be involved in constructing, operating, and maintaining them. Some of the types of workers involved include:

• Engineers
• Electricians
• Wind technicians
• Welders
• Machinists
• Welders
• Laborers
• Divers

The crew members of vessels that take workers and materials to and from offshore wind farms are also involved. Vessels are also needed to lay cable to offshore turbines and house workers who stay on the job for weeks.

The Dangers of Working on an Offshore Wind Farm

Working offshore can be dangerous in several ways:

• The workers who build and maintain the turbines work at great heights over the ocean. They risk falling into the water, which can be fatal depending on the height, the water temperature, and the speed of rescue efforts.
• Even without a fall, the exposure to waves, wind, and other types of weather can harm workers. Working with heavy equipment and machinery can lead to accidents that cause cuts, fractures, back injuries, head trauma, and other injuries.
• Workers can also suffer injuries in accidents on vessels where they live during shifts or while being transported to and from wind farms. Potential accidents on these vessels include trips and falls, equipment failures, being struck by cargo, collisions with turbines, and capsizing.

How Common Are Wind Farm Accidents and Injuries?

This is a relatively new industry, but international organizations have already begun recording incidents and noting a decrease in fatalities but an increase in overall incidents. Data from 2022 show there were 868 total incidents involving wind farms. Most of these, 325, occurred on a vessel. Nearly 300 occurred on a turbine.

None of the 2022 incidents were fatalities, but 19 required an emergency response and medical evacuation. According to some studies, offshore wind work has a higher injury rate than offshore oil and gas work. As the industry grows, it should become safer, but offshore work will always be associated with an elevated risk of injury.

What Causes Accidents on Wind Farms?

Accidents on the ships and boats involved in wind farm operations can be caused by many factors common to other types of vessels:

• Bad weather
• Equipment failure
• Inadequate training
• Operator errors
• Insufficient safety training, procedures, or gear
• Poorly secured cargo

Confined spaces exacerbate the risks. Offshore wind farm workers are sometimes stationed in confined spaces, which can lead to toxic exposure, lack of oxygen, and physical injuries due to awkward postures.

Divers who construct and maintain turbine platforms face even more dangers. They may be injured or killed by faulty diving equipment, unsafe diving conditions, inadequate dive monitoring, and other incidents.

How to Seek Compensation After an Offshore Wind Farm Accident

The best way to seek compensation is to work with an experienced maritime lawyer. Maritime law is complicated, and offshore wind farms are relatively new, so it’s not always clear which laws apply.

If you were injured on the wind farm, you may be covered under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). OCSLA applies to offshore oil and gas rigs and platforms and includes artificial islands. A wind farm might be included under this term.

You may be covered under the Jones Act if you suffered injuries on a vessel transporting materials to or from a wind farm. The Jones Act applies to seamen working on vessels on navigable waters. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced in 2021 that the Jones Act would extend to vessels going to and from wind farm installations.

The best way to recover damages or to get death benefits if you lost a loved one to a wind farm accident is to work with an experienced lawyer. They can determine which laws apply and ensure you have the best chance of getting compensation for medical and other expenses.