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The Human Element Offshore: How Crew Culture Drives Performance in Wind Energy

Published in: Wind, Digital Blog

The Human Element Offshore: How Crew Culture Drives Performance in Wind Energy image

Far from shore, often for weeks or months at a time, the offshore environment presents unique challenges for the professionals powering the wind energy transition. Beyond the technical complexities, maintaining crew wellbeing, motivation, and a strong team spirit is not just a 'nice-to-have' – it's a cornerstone of operational success and safety.

CBED, a provider of offshore accommodation and service vessels, has placed this human element at the heart of its operations, demonstrating how a deliberate focus on crew welfare and a positive internal culture translates directly into high service levels and customer satisfaction.

Investing in Crew Wellbeing: More Than Just Amenities

Sustainability in business extends beyond environmental responsibility; it encompasses investing in people. Creating a workplace culture where talented individuals feel supported and valued encourages long-term commitment and growth.

"Our experience is that when our crew members feel supported and valued, they also perform better and help foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment onboard," says General Manager Daniel Alon. CBED actively fosters this through several initiatives:

  • Connectivity: Installing Starlink internet in 2023 ensures crew can stay connected with families, reducing the strain of long periods away.
  • Recreation & Health: Vessels are equipped with fitness rooms, lounge areas with video games, and cinemas, providing spaces for relaxation, socialization, and maintaining health during off-hours.
  • Open Dialogue: Ongoing communication addresses everything from technical challenges to personal requests, like sourcing the latest video games.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Annual crew engagement surveys provide a platform for open feedback, helping monitor satisfaction, teamwork, and identify areas for improvement.

The results speak for themselves. Job satisfaction remains consistently high, with teamwork frequently cited as a key strength. In the latest survey, 85% of crew members said they would recommend CBED as a great place to work.

Recruiting for the "Right DNA": Building Cohesive Teams

Creating and sustaining a strong onboard culture requires more than just providing good facilities. It starts with recruitment. CBED focuses not just on skills but on finding individuals who align with the company's core values.

"We work deliberately to build cohesive, motivated teams who thrive in the offshore setting," explains Alon. "We do this by finding crew members who are passionate about providing great service, value teamwork and support each other".

In an industry often marked by high turnover, this focus extends to retention. Experienced seafarers are vital, particularly in specialized roles like gangway operations, where thousands of safe transfers are completed annually. Their expertise ensures smooth operations and provides invaluable mentorship for newer team members, fostering a high-performing team that grows together.

The Direct Link: From Crew Culture to Customer Satisfaction

The positive impact of a strong, supportive crew culture extends directly to the clients and technicians onboard. A positive atmosphere consistently leads to improved performance and a better overall experience offshore.

"What we see here is that having a strong culture and employees who enjoy going to work have a very positive spill-over effect on the experienced service level for our customers onboard," notes Alon. "When the working environment is good, the technicians perform better. It's a win-win".

This philosophy is embodied by CBED's dedicated hotel department, which employs crew in specialized hospitality roles. Hotel Managers and housekeeping teams ensure everyone onboard has what they need for a comfortable and productive stay.

Exceptional Service at Sea: The Details Matter

Beyond the motivated crew, it's the attention to detail that elevates the service level. Small touches make a significant difference when living and working offshore for extended periods.

"We know that working offshore and staying onboard one of our vessels will never be the same as being at home, but we do everything we can to make it almost as good," says Hotel Manager, Inita Lazdane. Her team focuses on creating a welcoming environment where technicians feel valued and can perform at their best.

"When people feel appreciated and respected, it naturally reflects in the way we serve and support others onboard and offer that great service that we are known for," Lazdane concludes.

As offshore operations continue to expand and evolve, CBED's commitment to its crew highlights a crucial lesson for the industry: investing in people and fostering a supportive culture is not just good practice, it's essential for achieving operational excellence, safety, and long-term success far from shore.

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