One of SSI Energy’s HSE Offshore Medics, who are often trained technicians working as part of a maintenance team, is now permanently based on the Bibby Wavemaster 1 vessel, supporting the works on the Galloper offshore wind farm in the UK.
According to SSI Energy’s Managing Director Duncan Higham, this is the first time the company has placed someone on a wind farm development off East Anglia. “This is particularly exciting for us as it’s one of the fastest-growing wind farm regions in the world and it shows that developers and companies in their supply chain are taking the welfare of employees very seriously,” Higham said.
The HSE Offshore Medic technician currently working aboard the Bibby Wavemaster 1 is former SAS Captain, Chris Hayle, who sees an average of one person a day for ailments like strains, sea sickness and general health issues. Hayle’s in-depth training means he can prescribe stronger pain relief and other treatments that first aiders cannot offer, to enable technicians to get back to work sooner. Offshore Medics, who have to be paramedics, military combat medics or nurses before going on the HSE Offshore Medic course, train for four years.
In addition to his medical responsibilities, Chris Hayle has also been working as a crew member, responsible for inductions and CTV coordination on the vessel.
Stephen Bolton , commercial director at Bibby Marine Services who will soon take on the CEO role , said: “The feedback we’ve had from the team has been very positive. People working in a challenging environment appreciate the reassurance that’s provided by an experienced paramedic who can respond quickly and professionally at a moment’s notice. What SSI Energy provides is a major step forward in offshore medical cover.”
SSI Energy, which says its staff are potential life-savers when it comes to medical emergencies offshore, provides fully-equipped paramedic technicians who can tackle medical emergencies such as strokes, heart and asthma attacks and anaphylactic shock, as well as the full range of traumatic emergencies including open fractures and falls from height.
The company’s concept of combining the roles of paramedic and technician was brought to the offshore wind sector via a GBP 50,000 grant from the SCORE (Supply Chain Innovation for Offshore Renewable Energy) programme.
SSI Energy currently has paramedics working on onshore wind farms in Poland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, offshore in UK waters and at oil and gas companies in West and North Africa, Australia and the Middle East.