ScanReach announced that its ConnectPOB personnel-on-board and safety platform has been selected for a series of four newbuild Commissioning Service Operation Vesselsordered by Windward Offshore from Vard Shipyard.

The first vessel in the series, Windward Athens, has already launched and is now in operation for North Star Shipping and RWE. With a capacity for 120 persons, Windward Athens is equipped with ScanReach’s maritime-grade wireless mesh network and real-time location management, giving the vessel a digital safety backbone from day one.

Operational-first safety for modern offshore wind vessels

ConnectPOB provides uninterrupted crew visibility, automated mustering, and seamless interaction with other onboard systems — without the need for invasive cabling or dry-dock time. The system has become the de facto standard for crew safety in offshore wind newbuilds, holding more than 50% market share in the segment.

“Windward’s decision underscores a shift we see across the industry: operators want safety tools that are accurate, fast, and intuitive for crews — not another complex system bolted onto the vessel,” said Daniel Slater, Head of Sales at ScanReach. “Our wireless platform gives vessels a future-proof operational safety infrastructure that strengthens both day-to-day routines and emergency readiness.”

Windward: ‘A dependable, trusted brand’

Caspar Blum, General Manager at Windward Offshore, highlighted the importance of user trust and reliability: “For vessels working year-round in demanding offshore wind environments, dependable safety systems are essential. We chose ConnectPOB because the technology is proven, easy to deploy, and well-liked by crews. ScanReach has built a trusted brand in this space, and we are confident the full series of vessels will benefit from the same reliability already demonstrated on Windward Athens.”

Crew perspective: user-friendly, not intrusive

Crew members on Windward Athens emphasize that ConnectPOB improves their sense of safety without compromising privacy: “The system is incredibly simple to use — most of us forgot it was even there after the first day,” said one Windward Athens crew member. “It helps the bridge know where we are during drills or operations, but it’s not ‘big brother tracking’. The tag only shows zone-level location on the vessel and follows strict GDPR rules. It makes our work safer and faster, not more monitored.”

ScanReach’s wearable tags and low-frequency wireless mesh operate within the vessel only; no personal data is tracked beyond operational safety needs, and all data stays fully compliant with European privacy requirements.

Setting the standard for offshore wind safety

With offshore wind projects growing in size and complexity, operators increasingly require real-time awareness, automated safety functions, and reliable connectivity for crew operations. ConnectPOB enables:
•    Automated muster and emergency response
•    Precise location visibility through steel environments
•    Plug-and-play installation for newbuilds and retrofits
•    Integration with third-party systems via open APIs

Deployment on the Windward newbuild series reinforces ScanReach’s position as the leading provider of wireless personnel safety systems for the global offshore wind fleet.