There are workshops that have become established institutions, firmly anchored in the calendar and now a tradition that speakers and participants alike look forward to. One such workshop is the Emden Workshop on Occupational Medicine in Offshore Wind Energy, which took place for the 15th time this year on 5 and 6 September 2025 at the Hotel Am Delft.
Organised by vgbe energy with the support of the City of Emden and members of the German Society for Maritime Medicine (DGMM), the event once again brought together leading experts from industry, medical practice and public authorities to discuss current developments, challenges and solutions in the field of offshore occupational medicine. This workshop is addressing all those working in this sector, in particular physicians and other healthcare professionals and (medical) rescue and advisory services whose tasks or areas of interest relate to health care and medical care in offshore workplaces. From the outset, it was clear that the participants were primarily interested in the content of the event and less in the certificates of successful participation that were issued afterwards.
Technical insights and discussions
The line-up of presentations could hardly have been better: after a humorous and relaxed welcome speech by the Mayor of Emden, Tim Kruithoff, the substantive part of the event began with a highly interesting international perspective on medical standards for wind turbines, thanks to a joint presentation by Dr Sarah Jackson and Beate Hildenbrand from G+.
Insights and innovations regarding the construction and engineering of offshore wind farms were presented with the usual expertise by vgbe wind energy expert Robert Rogotzki, before Sybille Schnegelsberg provided in-depth and sometimes surprising views on the concept of immediate rescue and the current state of practice in the federal states.
In Michael Stanley, we were able to secure a genuine offshore rescue practitioner as a speaker, who gave a realistic portrayal of the new profession of offshore emergency paramedic based on his own experiences. With this and his second presentation on the implementation of offshore medical guidelines, Michael Stanley led the Emden workshop to its highlight: the excursion to the Northern Helicopter heliport.
Practical highlight: Excursion to Norden-Norddeich
The Northern Helicopter GmbH team led by Armin Ortmann and Björn Schröder worked tirelessly to ensure an unforgettable experience and deepen participants’ understanding of the challenges of rescue work at sea. Participants gained direct insights into the rope work carried out by rescue workers through impressive demonstrations. Two different rescue helicopters were presented and explained in detail by the staff. As a grand finale, the participants of the Emden workshop were treated to a rope descent and ascent manoeuvre from one of the rescue helicopters. These are memories that will last and insights that will not be forgotten.
Second day with a focus on guidelines and research
The second day began with a scientific examination of the offshore wind energy workplace by Dr Marcial Velasco, followed by an in-depth presentation by Prof. Dr Alexandra Preisser on the topic of guidelines for aptitude tests for work on offshore wind farms.
A very personal, richly illustrated presentation by Tobias Scholz on the working situation offshore gave participants an insight into the working and living conditions involved in offshore activities.
The topic of aptitude testing was internationalised and compared across Europe by the next speaker, Eva Sabine Neuhöfer, thus creating a link to the beginning of the two-day workshop.
Finally, Dr Michael Goldbeck presented interactive practical examples of aptitude testing for offshore workers.
Conclusion
Once again this year, the Emden Workshop 2025 provided a platform for practical exchange and interdisciplinary networking. With a balanced programme of scientific input, experience reports and practical demonstrations, the event once again underlined its central role in the further development of offshore occupational medicine.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to all speakers for their commitment and enthusiasm. In addition, we would like to extend our warmest thanks to the entire Northern Helicopter team for one of the most impressive excursions in the 15-year history of the Emden Workshop, to the team at the Hotel Am Delft for their hospitality and, of course, to all participants for their interest and enthusiasm for discussion.
As in football, the same applies to this event: after the event is before the event. We are already looking forward to the 16th edition of the Emden Workshop next year on 11 and 12 September.
