Living Offshore: A Dive Into the Daily Life of Offshore Wind Energy Workers

As global warming intensifies and fossil fuels face growing shortages, nations around the world have turned their focus to alternative energy sources and energy independence. Renewable energy, including ocean energy (such as tidal, wave, ocean current...etc,) solar, geothermal, and wind power, has become a rising star in this industrial transformation. Among these, wind power stands out as a sought-after energy source. Offshore wind farms, central to major energy policies, represent an incredible undertaking. Each project costs billions of New Taiwan Dollars and involves dozens of vessels and hundreds of workers working for months on end to complete. The underwater foundation work and turbine installation operate continuously—24/7—weather permitting. Workers live and work entirely onboard, marking a dramatic shift from the "construction sites" that most Taiwanese are familiar with. It's a unique experience, and here, I share my firsthand account, starting with the nomadic life aboard a work vessel.

The construction of wind farms is divided into 3 major packages: Foundation, Turbine, and Cable. Key tasks include underwater foundation installation, piling, turbine assembly, and cable laying—all of which run nonstop around the clock. Any delays can lead to significant problems and costs, so a continuous 24-hour work schedule is standard. 2 shifts of construction crews live aboard the vessel, with rotation schedules starting at 2 weeks and extending up to four weeks during the pandemic to minimize infection risks. Post-pandemic, shifts rarely exceed four weeks due to labor law restrictions in Taiwan. Given that workers eat, sleep, and live entirely on board, preparing luggage becomes a minor art form. Imagine it as a business trip with a twist—your suitcase needs to fit both personal items and work essentials.

(Figure 2) Personal work equipment

Generally speaking, apart from Crew Transport Vessels (CTVs), which are small boats designed for same-day trips to and from wind farms, other work vessels, ranging from Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) to larger ships like the "Green Jade," recently built by CSBC Corporation Taiwan and now in service at wind farms, share a similar onboard environment. One of my foreign colleagues once described it like this: "Think of it as living in a hotel where you wake up and go straight to work, and when your shift ends, you're back at the hotel to rest." This simple analogy is quite fitting. But what exactly do these "floating hotels" offer in terms of basic amenities and services?

On such offshore "hotels", there can be as few as 30 to 40 people or as many as nearly 200 working around the clock, 24/7. It's essential to ensure that everyone can live comfortably without distractions. Moreover, foreign colleagues place great emphasis on HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment Management Systems), as working under fatigue significantly increases the risk of accidents. To guarantee everyone has a private, undisturbed space to recharge after long, high-pressure 12-hour shifts, single-occupancy cabins are typically the standard unless exceptions are made.

These cabins resemble compact suites, equipped with a bed, a small desk, a sofa, a TV, and an en-suite bathroom. Everything you need is provided, from pillows and bedding to duvet covers and blankets, making it feel like moving into a single-occupancy suite advertised as "just bring your suitcase."

(Figure 3) Cabin layout

(Figure 4) Private bathroom

To accommodate both day and night shifts and ensure staff never go hungry, we've designed a dining experience that caters to all hours. From multiple meal times to afternoon tea and late-night snacks (see photos of some treats below), the restaurant operates 24/7. Whether it's instant noodles, bread, or an ice cream-stocked salad bar, you'll find something to satisfy your cravings no matter when you wake up.

(Figure 5) A wide variety of snack cabinets, not every vessel has them

(Figure 6) Fixed dishes for every Saturday dinner (left)｜The legendary Beef Wellington (right)

(Figure 7) Extra thick sliced ​​steak burger (left)｜The sea of "Oreo" (right)

(Figure 8) The usual cold breakfast dishes

(Figure 9) Basic breakfast

(Figure 10) Salad Bar

Most of the vessels currently involved in offshore wind farm construction come from European countries, and their onboard power supply operates at 220V, unlike Taiwan's 110V standard. For instance, I'm used to bringing a hairdryer, and the first time I boarded, I brought one from brand T. Surprisingly, it didn't burn out immediately after turning it on (no, this isn't a sponsored post). Luckily, it didn't catch fire and set off the alarms either.

Another thing to keep in mind is the nationality of the ship. For example, UK ships use different sockets compared to other European vessels. Understanding these differences is key to avoiding situations where you bring the wrong adapter and end up powerless. However, always lugging around a bunch of adapters can be quite inconvenient. A better solution? Purchase a dedicated 220V extension cord from an online platform. These cords not only come with sockets compatible with standard Taiwanese appliances but also typically include several USB and Type-C ports, so you won't even need to pack a phone charger. It's a real lifesaver!

(Figure 11) Handy power solutions

Life offshore often feels like living at the mercy of the weather. When the skies are clear, back-to-back days of intense work can make you question your life choices. However, when bad weather strikes, there's no choice but to stay on standby aboard the vessel. Given the plentiful meals served on board, it's easy to see why every ship comes equipped with a gym. After indulging in delicious food, having a place to burn off those calories is essential—otherwise, a drastic change in your physique is just a matter of time.

From my experience, most foreign colleagues and crew members have a regular workout routine. The gym is usually alive with upbeat, thumping music and people working out. It’s not uncommon to see coworkers with muscles so big they could rival professional bodybuilders.

(Figure 12) Gym Facilities (left)｜Gym shoes and casual slip-ons (right)

Working offshore is like staying at a hotel—most of the little chores are taken care of for you. For instance, your pillows, sheets, and bed linens are replaced every 2–3 days. There's also free laundry service: just drop your clothes into the laundry bag provided in your cabin, send it to the designated spot, and you'll have clean, dried clothes back within half a day to a full day. If you prefer not to send clothes for washing too often, bring about 3–4 sets of undergarments as backups. Work uniforms usually need to be taken to the laundry room near the work area. If you're worried about losing them, having three sets for rotation should suffice.

Shoes depend on personal preference. Work boots are mandatory, but for moving around the cabin or hitting the gym, one pair of sneakers should do—although you can pack a separate pair for each purpose. Casual shoes can't be too "casual" either; on board, safety regulations require shoes with closed toes and a back strap, ensuring safety during potential emergencies or evacuations.

Working on a ship is mostly physical labor, and with the air conditioning blasting in the cabins, fatigue, muscle soreness, or colds from temperature differences between indoor and outdoor areas are common. Digestive issues from unfamiliar Western food are also something to watch for. Unlike working on land, even minor health issues offshore might not get immediate medical attention. It's wise to pack some essential medicines: pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, cold medicine, muscle relief patches or ointments, digestive aids, and anti-diarrheal medication. These could turn out to be lifesavers when you least expect it.

As for other items, while not strictly necessary, a few extras can make your life more convenient. Things like a small tool pouch, work belt, or massage tools (e.g., massage balls or fascia guns) help with muscle relief. Dental floss sticks are great for maintaining oral hygiene. For entertainment, some colleagues go all out and bring a PS5, but I personally recommend a more portable option like the Nintendo Switch.

While I've listed quite a lot, it's important to pack light since shifts rotate every few weeks. Plus, every offshore wind power worker is required to bring a big bag of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The ideal packing setup is a 26-inch suitcase, a laptop bag, and your PPE bag. One last tip: don't forget your passport and personal toiletries!