We are thrilled to share the news that Sea Services North America, led by Wind Collaborative Board member Gordon Videll, is a finalist in two categories for Oceantic Network’s Ventus Awards.

Sea Services was nominated in two categories: Health, Safety & Environment Program of the Year; and Supply Chain Advancement-Private.

The Ventus Awards are Oceantic Network’s highest level of professional recognition, celebrating the trailblazing people, companies, organizations, and work worldwide ushering in the global adoption of offshore wind and other ocean renewables. Oceantic Network President and CEO Liz Burdock is also a member of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative Board of Directors.

Sea Services is a co-op that brings together commercial fishermen and offshore wind farm developers in a unique relationship that benefits two entities that have experienced a challenging relationship in the early stages of wind farm development. Sea Services represents more than 120 fishermen on 20 vessels homeported in seven states.

These skilled crews apply their local knowledge to the missions of seabed scouting and safety perimeter services, ensuring that cable lay vessels and installation crews can proceed without losing time to entanglements with fishing gear or other debris. This work provides significant additional income to fishermen.

Sea Services partners have scouted thousands of miles of ocean floor for developers of the nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind farms and have a perfect record of locating and removing potential entanglement problems before the developer’s installation crews do.

All vessels are inspected by certified marine safety experts and must safety and emergency equipment standards that exceed U.S. Coast Guard requirements. In addition, all crewmen are trained in health, safety, and emergency preparedness to standards above and beyond U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

The selection of Sea Services as a finalist for two awards presented by the preeminent global offshore wind energy organization is a testament to the unique and innovative solutions Sea Services North America brings to the industry’s supply chain.

As the agency leading the development of this industry’s supply chain across Connecticut and the Northeast, the Connecticut Wind Collaborative is proud to count Sea Services North America as a close partner.

Winners will be announced at the Ventus Awards Gala on April 29 as part of the three-day Oceantic Network 2025 International Partnering Forum in Virginia Beach, VA.