Role Purpose
The Heavy Lift Supervisor is responsible for the safe and effective execution of all heavy lifting operations associated with offshore wind turbine installation, maintenance, and balance‑of‑plant activities. The role ensures strict compliance with LOLER, PUWER, WTSR interfaces, site rules, and marine operational requirements while coordinating lifting teams across platforms, OSS, WTG towers, and vessels.
Key Responsibilities
Supervision & Compliance
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Supervise all heavy lift operations offshore, including lifts conducted on WTGs, the Offshore Substation (OSS), SOV/CTV deck cranes, and construction vessels.
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Ensure all lifting activities comply with LOLER, PUWER, OEM procedures, vessel lifting plans, and offshore windfarm safety rules.
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Verify lifting operations are performed under an approved lift plan and risk assessment, with safe access/egress, weather limits, exclusion zones, and SIMOPS considered.
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Act as the on-site authority for all heavy lifting work and ensure alignment with Control Room, Marine Coordination, and WTSR appointed roles.
Planning & Execution
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Review and validate Lift Plans, Method Statements, RA/MS, and lifting studies (including key component lifts: blades, nacelles, hubs, yaw decks).
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Confirm environmental and marine conditions (wind speed, wave height, vessel motions) are suitable before authorising operations.
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Support engineering teams and the Appointed Person (AP) when lifts require redesign, changes in rigging, or alternative equipment.
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Ensure tools, containers, lifting frames, and turbine-specific fixtures are available and fit for purpose before mobilisation.
Equipment Inspection & Rigging Control
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Inspect lifting equipment including crane hooks, slings, shackles, G‑blocks, man‑riding gear (if used), and turbine‑specific lifting adaptors.
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Ensure all lifting gear certificates are in date and logged in the offshore Lifting Equipment Register.
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Confirm correct rigging setups for turbine environments (narrow platforms, high elevation, confined nacelle spaces).
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Monitor rigging integrity during dynamic operations where vessel motion, turbine height, and wind loading create additional risks.
Safety Leadership & Team Briefings
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Lead offshore pre‑lift meetings and toolbox talks, ensuring all personnel understand the lift plan, hazards, communication methods, and emergency procedures.
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Coordinate with crane operators, deck crew, turbine technicians, and marine crew when performing lifts between vessel and turbine, or between WTG levels.
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Hold the authority to stop any lift immediately if unsafe conditions arise, including weather deterioration, unexpected vessel movement, or deviations from the lift plan.
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Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure close call/near‑miss reporting is encouraged and documented.
Coordination & Communication
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Maintain direct communication with Crane Operators, Riggers, Marine Coordination, SOV/CTV crew, and WTG Supervisors.
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Manage SIMOPS, including simultaneous vessel operations, personnel transfer, turbine maintenance, and tower‑top activities.
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Coordinate lifting sequences with turbine teams for component replacement (e.g., generators, pitch motors, blade bearings, gearboxes).
Documentation & Reporting
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Maintain accurate records of all lifts, gear inspections, toolbox talks, deviations, and authorisations.
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Log any unsafe conditions, near misses, or incidents and support root‑cause investigations.
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Ensure lift documentation is stored and transmitted according to offshore site governance and project requirements.
Qualifications & Experience
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Proven experience supervising heavy lifting in offshore wind, offshore construction, or marine heavy industry.
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Recognised competence: Appointed Person, Lift Supervisor, or equivalent (NPORS/CPCS/OPITO).
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Strong working knowledge of LOLER, PUWER, WTSR interactions, and offshore lifting standards (e.g., G+ guidance).
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Familiarity with SOV/CTV deck cranes, offshore lifting adaptors, turbine component handling, and vessel‑to‑turbine logistics.
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Valid GWO certifications and offshore medical (ENG1 or equivalent).
Core Competencies
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Strong situational awareness offshore (weather limits, vessel motion, deck conditions, turbine access).
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Clear communication and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
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High standard of safety awareness and regulatory compliance.
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Ability to interpret lift plans, drawings, and engineering calculations.
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Decisive and calm under pressure during complex or dynamic lifts.
Certifications Required
Medical’s
OPE EXT – Medical OGUK, NOGEPA and Chester Step
GWO’s (Refresher every 2nd year)
GWO Combined (First Aid, Working at Heights, Manual Handling, Fire Awareness)
GWO Enhanced First Aid
GWO Advanced Rescue HUB & Single + Nacelle
GWO Service Lift User (SLU)
GWO Sea Survival
OPE EXT - OPITO HUET with CA-EBS Helicopter Underwater Escape Training
Safety Awareness Induction
HMF2530 Nacelle crane Operator [OFS_HMF]
GWO BTT’s
GWO BTT (Hydraulic, mechanical, electrical) + Bolt Tightening
GWO BTT Installation
Other Role Specific
Technical & Operational Safety OFS_TOS [class]
ESQ [100100 / 252037]
LOTO2 [100300 / 100310]
(D-Level) Palfinger Crane Operator [PK34000 OFS_HMF&PAL] OFS_HMF&PAL
CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) Red Card – operative [Ainscough]
V236
Introduction to C level V236 [INTRO_TO_C_LEVEL + 207700]
(Level C) Installation V236 [OFS_PAI]
E-Learnings
ITH Smart tool [406520 + 406510]
NCE Tool tethering (every year) [953000]
Working under suspended loads (WUSL) key-users / users
Critical Electrical Connections 403201 / 403200
Safety Leadership [VAO_SFT_401]
Sphera - Incident Management System (IMS) [335006]