Connecticut’s expanding role in the offshore wind energy supply chain was showcased during a Sept. 27 event co-hosted by the Connecticut Wind Collaborative and Bridgeport Boatworks at the  Bridgeport Harbor facility.

Nearly 100 attendees were invited to tour Gateway Endeavor, a crew transfer vessel (CTV)  retrofitted from the oil and gas industry to serve the offshore wind industry by Bridgeport’s Hornblower Marine. This Connecticut-produced CTV is owned by Norwalk’s WINDEA Offshore, which provides a fleet of CTVs for use along the East Coast. Gateway Endeavor is the 5th vessel in WINDEA’s fleet of new-build offshore wind CTVs.

“This event showcased businesses providing jobs directly related to the offshore wind industry and highlighted the collaboration supporting this new supply chain in Connecticut and across the region,” said Kristin Urbach, Executive Director of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative. “We’re no longer talking about potential jobs, these are existing jobs in a new industry fully underway across New England.” Urbach initiated the event after her first meeting with Bridgeport Boatworks Owner Harry Boardsen.

The event was an example of Urbach’s role as a convener of the various stakeholders – and potential stakeholders – in the offshore wind supply chain. Bridgeport Boatworks provides the location and heavy equipment necessary for Hornbower Marine’s skilled workers to produce the specialized vessels that WINDEA Offshore provides to transport offshore wind farm workers.

In a statement prior to the event, Boardsen said, “It has been six years since our reopening of a dormant shipyard facility in Bridgeport Harbor and to host an event like this is very special for us. Creating dozens of local jobs, investing in the City of Bridgeport, and creating new opportunities for Bridgeport Harbor with partners like Hornblower Marine and WINDEA is truly exciting and revolutionary for the Harbor while establishing business for years to come.”

Hornblower Marine Senior Vice President of Vessel Construction & Repair Junio Volpe said, “Hornblower Marine is proud to work alongside our local crew, community partners, and elected officials to build upon Bridgeport’s robust waterfront history and lead the maritime industry’s continued innovation, including in the burgeoning North American Offshore Wind space. Our success in both transforming vessels for CTV use and growing our fleet of new US-built, industry-leading CTVs designed for the unique North American maritime conditions is built upon Bridgeport’s talented workforce and its commitment to the vital maritime and offshore wind industries.”

Highlighting the local job created by the offshore wind industry, Michael Tosi, CEO of HeliService USA. Said, “We’re excited to showcase these unique capabilities and high-paying local jobs the development of offshore wind has brought to New England. As a native New Englander, hiring folks originally from the area who are able to stay or return home is near and dear to my heart. There are no other commercial helicopter operations of this nature on the East Coast. We’re proud that over 95% of our staff are locally based, with many of our pilots and flight engineers residing in Connecticut.”