The need for wind turbine maintenance teams to master sea survival skills arises out of the following emergency situations:

• capsizing of supply vessel

• man overboard during transfer from supply vessel to the platfrom

• worker falling off the platform into the sea

• descent by rope from the nacelle or a raised section of the turbine into the sea

Note that the initial stages of the process need to be integrated upstream into the workflow. The procedure outlined below is focussed on assignments to be carried out by wind turbine operation and maintenance staff and not rescue teams or qualified seamen. Also, helicopter access, when deployed, is subject to special emergency routines not featured in this profile.

The assignment is grouped into 10 sub-assignments:

• Select the appropriate clothing for operations and take personal safety precautions

• Maintain all protective clothing in accordance with the manufacturer´s instructions

• Correctly position and secure yourself during the capsize of a vessel

• Abandon the vessel in accordance with the instructions given by the person responsible for the vessel

• Execute the correct posture and grouping for sea survival in low-temperature sea water

• Right the life raft correctly in accordance with the manufacturer´s instructions and guidance from the responsible person

• Correctly board and appropriately use the life raft´s emergency equipment

• Carry out the correct procedure for recovering a person from the water

• Appropriatey dress the survivor in lifejacket and clothing to stabiliise his condition

• Use pyrotechnics correctly and safely in accordance with the manufacturer?s instructions