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Recruitment
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What to expect · Working at sea
Life aboard a Crew Transfer Vessel
The offshore wind industry runs on the people who get technicians safely to the turbines and home again. Here’s what the role of a CTV really involves – and what it takes to be a Master, Deckhand or Engineer in our crew.
The workhorse of offshore wind
What a CTV does
Njord Offshore’s Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) are fast, purpose-built catamarans that carry offshore technicians, their tools and cargo from an onshore or offshore base out to the turbines and offshore substations – and safely back again. CTVs are the everyday access solution for wind farms within reach of port, running daily return trips rather than staying offshore.
The signature manoeuvre is the “push-on” transfer: the Master drives the vessel’s fendered bow firmly against the turbine’s boat-landing ladder and holds it there under power while technicians step across one at a time. It demands real skill, constant judgement of the sea state, and a crew that works as one. Get it right thousands of times a year, safely, and you keep an offshore wind farm running.
It’s hands-on, weather-driven, genuinely useful work at the front line of the energy transition.
Who’s aboard
The three roles that make it happen
A CTV runs on a tight, highly trained team. Each role carries real responsibility from day one. There is good career opportunities for deckhands and engineers to progress.
Master
The senior officer and company representative aboard – in command of the vessel, the crew, the passengers and every safe transfer. The Master makes the weather calls, drives the push-on, and sets the tone for the whole team.
A typical day
- Safe navigation, manoeuvring and precision transfers to the turbines
- Go / no-go decisions on the weather window and sea state
- Leading the crew, running safety drills, upholding the safety culture
- Compliance with the Safety Management System and ISM Code
- Logs, manifests, transfer records and reporting to the shore team
- Overseeing vessel maintenance and the annual Master review
You’ll need
Deckhand
The engine of the deck and the classic route into a CTV career. The Deckhand supervises transfers, handles cargo and lines, keeps watch, and keeps the vessel in top condition – learning the trade that leads to command.
A typical day
- Assisting technician transfers and supervising them onto the ladder
- Cargo operations – slinging, signalling, loading and landing parts
- Ropework, mooring and bunkering (fuelling) alongside
- Watchkeeping and lookout duties underway
- Daily engine-room checks and planned vessel maintenance
- Emergency drills and constant on-the-job training
You’ll need
Engineer
Reliability is everything. Njord’s engineers keep the vessels available, safe and performing – from the daily engine checks the sea-going crew carry out, to the Fleet Engineers who provide seven-day technical support to every boat in the fleet.
What the role covers
- Planned, preventive and breakdown maintenance across the fleet
- Round-the-clock troubleshooting for crews at sea and in port
- Main engines, propulsion (IPS / waterjet / CPP), hydraulics & fuel systems
- Dry-docks, class & flag surveys, spares and defect rectification
- Running the planned-maintenance and ISM systems
- On larger vessels, a dedicated engineer sails with the boat
You’ll need
Certificate requirements are a guide to the typical standard for each role and can vary by vessel and contract. Our recruitment team will confirm exactly what’s needed for the position you’re interested in.
A day at sea
What a shift really looks like
CTV work is built around the weather and the technicians’ scope of work. Days are long and weather-dependent, but they follow a rhythm.
The CTV crew and technicians work closely together to get the job done safely and efficiently. From planning the passage and coordinating transfers to adapting to changing conditions offshore, clear communication and cooperation are essential.
Rotations in the sector are typically tour-based and even-time (equal time on and off), based out of the wind farm’s operations-and-maintenance (“O&M”) port or their Service Operation Vessel (“SOV”).
For 12/14hr Operations, Crew start the day with a brief on the day’s scope and weather, complete pre-sail checks and load cargo. Technicians board and are inducted.
Fast passage to the offshore windfarm. Technicians seated.
Push-on transfers, cargo lifts and shuttling between turbines through the working day; the vessel is a floating base for the technicians.
Holding station, monitoring the weather, ready to recover technicians early if conditions turn.
Recover all technicians, transit back, refuel, log the day and hand over – ready to do it safely again tomorrow.
- For larger vessels Njord Offshore also operate vessels on 24/7 Offshore basis supporting SOV operations.
Your career at Njord
A clear route to command
Offshore wind is growing fast, and so can your career. A motivated Deckhand can progress toward command, supported by our in-house, vessel and windfarm specific training.
Deckhand
Build sea time, master ropework, cargo, watchkeeping and the push-on – the foundation of everything that follows.
Trainee Master
Hold your Master <200 GT ticket and build command and manoeuvring experience under a serving Master before taking charge.
Master
Take full command of the vessel, crew and every safe transfer – the senior seagoing role aboard a CTV.
An engineering track runs alongside – from AEC-qualified deck engine duties through to onboard or shore-based Fleet Engineer roles – and experienced crew can move into shore-side operations too.
Safety is the job
WORK SAFE, HOME SAFE
We all have a responsibility for looking after our clients, our colleagues and ourselves. Every transfer, every lift, every mile is done to a standard. Our crews work within a certified safety management system – and it’s recognised by the industry. Safety is our priority.
Certified occupational health & safety management
Quality and environmental management, ISM compliant
Recognised for fatigue-monitoring technology
Supplier safety award for Life Saving Rules
Ready to come aboard?
Take your career to the next level
We’re always looking for the industry’s best Masters, Deckhands and Engineers. If you’re ready for fast-paced, rewarding work at the front line of offshore wind, we’d like to hear from you.
