News

While wrapping up a portion of work on the Revolution Wind project off Martha’s Vineyard, Local 346 member Ray Burrows helped secure a major equipment donation to strengthen union training.

Burrows, a carpenter steward and foreman, was working aboard the ECO Edison, the first US-built, US-owned, and US-crewed Service Operations Vessel for the offshore wind industry. The ECO Edison serves as a “floating hotel” for technicians maintaining Orsted wind farms, including Revolution Wind.

Burrows was doing cable pulls for ASP during his second campaign for the company. He had earned his SPRAT rope access certification to qualify for the job, training that opened the door to new work opportunities.

As the job finished up, a shop supervisor from another subcontractor on the project, Seaway7, one of the world’s largest offshore contractors working for client Orsted, approached Ray to see if he would have any use for the American-made equipment and gently used gear that the company was not looking to bring back to their base in Norway. Materials that would be slated for disposal.

Burrows thought of his union and quickly jumped into action. “I reached out to NASRCC Representatives Dennis Lassige and John Dunderdale and they pointed me to the North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund (NASCTF). I worked out the logistics and coordination of the donation with the NASCTF. NASCTF sent a truck to collect the materials, which included rigging gear, straps, slings, chain falls, come alongs, hand tools, PPE and fire extinguishers – much of it brand new. The total value of donated equipment is valued at $100,000.

Paul Blanchard, NASCTF Senior Technical Coordinator, said the impact will be far-reacing. “NASCTF will be using this equipment for rigging training, millwright training, and mass timber work. It will be distributed throughout the Council to various training centers.”

John Dunderdale anticipates the donation will be significant in helping to establish in-house ropes training as NASCTF facilities. “Having this equipment on-site will allow members to maintain certification, practice rigging sets and build the skills needed for future offshore and industrial projects.”

“I’ve been in the union for nine years and have taken hundreds of hours of training, including rigging classes” notes Burrows. “Knowing that I was a part of helping get this equipment to the training center so that my brothers and sisters will be able to use it to enhance their skills is really fulfilling. The union has changed my life for the better and being able to give back like this is incredible.”

A huge thank you to Seaway7. This donation will strengthen training and work opportunities for many members of the NASRCC.

Pictured (l-r): Grace Pacelle, Eco Edison Engineer; Eric Burgess, NASCTF Instructor; Chiel Hoeksema, Lead Engineer Seaway7; Ray Burrows, Local 346 member.