A study commissioned by the New York State Economic Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) finds a substantial number of opportunities for mariners to supplement their income in the emerging US offshore wind industry.
The study, compiled by The Renewables Consulting Group (RCG), concluded that as the offshore wind industry grows, the option for mariners to supplement their income will become available during all phases of a project’s lifecycle.Based on current Northeastern US offshore wind commitments alone, the study shows that offshore wind can support 2,600 job years of supplemental work for fishermen and other mariners.
Fishermen have already been hired for liaison positions, and fishing vessels are currently being used for surveys, for scientific data collection, and as scout vessels to prevent conflict between offshore wind activities and vessel traffic or fishing gear.
Jobs that employ entire vessels in the offshore wind industry align well with the vessels specs in the New York Bight and include fish surveys, mammal and bird surveys, safety vessels, scout vessels, and charter fishing, sight-seeing, and tourism. According to the results of the analysis, jobs that employ entire vessels comprise most of the supplemental work available. A variety of full-time and part-time offshore wind jobs were evaluated in the study; however, the analysis focused mainly on the supplemental or part-time work available.
