DRTC > Wind

GWO Sea Survival (SS)

The GWO – Sea Survival training is a one-day practical safety course designed to prepare participants to work and survive safely in an offshore wind environment. Through theory and realistic pool-based exercises, participants learn how to protect themselves and others during normal operations and emergencies at sea. Upon completion, participants receive an internationally recognized GWO certificate, valid for 2 years.

Course duration: 1 day

Locations: Groningen, Vlissingen

Cost per student: € 356,00 (excl. BTW)

Questions or need help? Send an email or call 0031 118 463382

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About this course

GWO Sea Survival (SS)

Introduction
Developed by the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), the Sea Survival course teaches the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to work safely during offshore transfers and operations. Participants learn how to identify hazards, take preventive measures, and respond effectively to emergency situations offshore.

Training includes theoretical lessons and realistic practical exercises in a pool, using approved survival and rescue equipment, ensuring both safety and realism.

Objective
After completing the course, participants will be able to:

follow safety procedures during offshore transport and work;
use personal protective equipment correctly;
respond effectively to emergencies such as evacuations or man-overboard situations;
apply survival techniques in the water;
communicate and cooperate efficiently during emergency situations.

Target Group
This course is intended for:

personnel working in the offshore wind industry;
professionals who travel to or work offshore and require GWO certification.

Practical info

Entry Requirements
Participants must:

be physically fit to attend the course;
hold a valid Working at Heights certificate;
have a valid medical examination;
disclose any medication use prior to booking (if the medication limits participation, the booking will be cancelled free of charge).

Course Content
The GWO – Sea Survival course includes both theoretical and practical sessions covering:

personal safety and preparation for offshore travel;
emergency and evacuation procedures;
use of survival suits and life-saving appliances;
actions to take in man-overboard situations;
teamwork and communication during emergencies.

Practical exercises are conducted in a swimming pool using approved rescue equipment and training materials.

Certification
Upon successful completion and demonstration of competence, participants receive the official GWO Sea Survival certificate, recognized by the Global Wind Organisation (GWO).

Validity
The certificate is valid for 2 years.
After this period, participants must complete a 1-day refresher course to renew their certification.

Course Duration
1 day

Schedule
08:30 – 17:00

Group Size
Minimum 4, maximum 12 participants

Winda Registration
All participants must register in WINDA, the official GWO certification database.
After registration, participants receive a Winda ID, which must be provided during booking.
Upon completion, DRTC will link the obtained certificate to the participant’s WINDA account.

Registration: https://winda.globalwindsafety.org/

What's on the program?

Day 1 - Sea Survival and Safe Transfers

High-quality facilities that make a difference

With the best resources and facilities at our disposal, we are able to offer training and courses of the highest quality.

Bekijk alle faciliteiten Onze locaties

Safe training in realistic water conditions

Pool

A versatile and safe environment for realistic water training and evacuation exercises.

Safe working at height training in accordance with GWO standards

Working at Height Tower

Training in safe working, rescue, and evacuation at height in accordance with GWO standards.

Safe training for offshore transfers

Boatlanding

Realistic training in boat transfers in accordance with GWO standards.

Realistic training with helicopter hoist operations

Heli Hoist Raft Station

Realistic and safe training in helicopter hoist operations from the water and life raft.

Safe training in realistic water conditions

Pool

Our pool is specifically designed for maritime and offshore safety training. Here, participants can practice various rescue and evacuation procedures in the water under controlled conditions.

What makes this pool unique is its versatility: it can be used for training with life rafts, boarding exercises, HUET simulations, capsize and entry drills, and the use of safety equipment such as the CA-EBS. All activities are supervised by experienced instructors to ensure a safe learning environment.

Who is it for?

The pool is used by offshore personnel, maritime crews, industrial emergency responders, and trainees who want to gain hands-on experience in water-related emergency situations.

What You’ll Practice

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you can train in the pool in areas such as:

Swimming and survival while wearing work clothes or a life jacket
Boarding and evacuating via a boarding platform
Using and boarding life rafts
Training with CA-EBS and other breathing aids
Escaping from the HUET installation (helicopter underwater escape)
Performing capsize and orientation exercises
Working together and communicating effectively during water emergencies

All exercises are conducted under strict safety protocols and followed by a debriefing, ensuring participants not only master the procedures but also understand the principles behind them.

For Your Organization

Would you like to use the pool for customized training or team exercises?
Contact us — we offer group sessions and tailor the program to meet your organization’s specific needs.

Safe working at height training in accordance with GWO standards

Working at Height Tower

The Working at Height Tower has been specifically designed for training participants in safe working, rescue, and evacuation techniques at height. The tower is widely used for GWO (Global Wind Organisation) courses, such as Working at Heights, and also provides training opportunities for offshore, maritime, and industrial scenarios.

What makes this tower unique is its versatility: participants can practice fall protection, climbing and descent techniques, as well as rescue and evacuation procedures. With multiple platforms and training stations, the tower is suitable for both basic and advanced levels.

Who is it for?

The Working at Height Tower is used by wind industry teams, offshore and maritime personnel, industrial technicians, and emergency responders who need to work safely at height or on elevated installations.

What You’ll Practice

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants will learn to:

Use personal fall protection equipment correctly (harness, lines, and anchor points)
Apply climbing techniques and work safely at height
Perform rescue and evacuation of colleagues in emergency situations
Operate lifting and descent systems
Follow emergency procedures in case of a fall incident
Work together and communicate effectively during height-related operations

All exercises are conducted under strict safety protocols and fully aligned with the international standards of the Global Wind Organisation (GWO).

For Your Organization

Would you like your team to train according to GWO standards or follow customized height safety scenarios?
Contact us — we’ll develop a program tailored to your sector and safety objectives.

Safe training for offshore transfers

Boatlanding

The Boat Landing has been specifically designed to let participants realistically practice transferring from a work or transfer boat to a platform or installation. This is a crucial skill in the offshore and wind industries, where safe access and evacuation often depend on boat transfers.

What makes the Boat Landing unique is that participants can safely train their balance, timing, and climbing techniques while transferring. The motion of waves and moving vessels is simulated, allowing realistic practice under the close supervision of experienced instructors who ensure safety throughout.

Who is it for?

The Boat Landing is used by wind industry teams, offshore workers, and maritime personnel who regularly travel to their workplace by transfer boat and need to perform safe transfers. The facility is ideally suited for training in accordance with GWO (Global Wind Organisation) standards.

What You’ll Practice

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants will learn to:

Safely transfer from a boat to a ladder or platform
Use personal protective equipment and harness systems correctly
Maintain balance and timing when affected by wave motion
Climb up and down ladders under realistic conditions
Perform rescue and evacuation procedures during transfer incidents
Communicate and work together effectively during boat transfers

All exercises are conducted under strict safety protocols and concluded with a debriefing to reinforce key learning points.

For Your Organization

Would you like your team to train in safe boat transfers according to GWO guidelines?
Contact us — we’ll design a program that matches the operational realities of the offshore and wind industries.

Realistic training with helicopter hoist operations

Heli Hoist Raft Station

The Heli Hoist Raft Station is our dedicated facility for training rescue operations using a helicopter hoist. Participants experience what it’s like to be lifted from the water or a life raft with the help of a heli sling and winch.

What makes this facility unique is the combination of realistic training and maximum safety. Under the supervision of experienced instructors, trainees become familiar with the procedures, equipment, and physical experience of a helicopter hoist operation over water.

Who is it for?

The Heli Hoist Raft Station is used by maritime and offshore personnel, wind industry teams, and emergency responders who may encounter helicopter evacuations or rescues in their line of work.

What You’ll Practice

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants will learn to:

Prepare for a helicopter hoist operation
Safely enter a heli sling from the water or a life raft
Maintain proper body position and communication during the hoist
Work effectively with rescue teams and helicopter crews
Manage tension and stress during hoisting procedures
Maintain orientation and ensure safety during water and air operations

All exercises are carried out under strict safety protocols with continuous supervision. This provides a lifelike experience while maintaining maximum safety at all times.

For Your Organization

Would you like your team to train in helicopter hoist techniques over water?
Contact us — we offer customized programs tailored to the practical needs of offshore, wind, and maritime operations.

Our instructors

The people behind the training.

Our experienced trainers challenge you to bring out the best in yourself. Our program coordinators are available to provide you with all information and to answer any practical questions regarding the training.

Emile van Dooren

Instructor

Bas Gloudemans

Managing Director

Michel de Pooter

Senior Maritime Instructor

Jorian Schut

Maritime Instructor

Let them convince you

Frequently asked questions

Which STCW, GWO, NOGEPA and Emergency Response (BHV) courses does DRTC offer?

DRTC provides a wide range of accredited safety courses for the maritime, offshore, wind and industrial sectors.

STCW – including Basic Training, Advanced Fire Fighting, Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSCRB/FRB), Medical First Aid, Medical Care and Security Awareness.
GWO – Basic Safety Training (BST) and individual modules such as Working at Height, First Aid, Fire Awareness, Manual Handling, Sea Survival and Enhanced First Aid.
NOGEPA – Basic Offshore Safety, Helicopter Underwater Escape (HUET), Sea Survival, Fire-fighting and specialised refresher courses.
BHV/First Aid/VCA – Basic and refresher courses in Emergency Response, First Aid and Safety Certification for all sectors.

See the current course overview on our website or contact drtc@drtc.nl for advice on the right training for your needs.

Who are GWO training courses intended for?

For (future) wind technicians, HSE staff, and support personnel working onshore or offshore in the wind energy industry.

Which GWO modules can I take at DRTC?

We offer the full Basic Safety Training (BST) and individual modules such as Working at Height, First Aid, Fire Awareness, Manual Handling, and Sea Survival. Refresher courses and Enhanced First Aid are also available.

How long is a GWO certificate valid?

GWO certificates are valid for 24 months. Be sure to complete your refresher course before expiry.

Do I need a medical certificate for GWO training?

Basic fitness is required. Depending on your employer’s policy, a maritime or offshore medical examination may be mandatory.

What should I bring to a GWO course?

Bring valid identification, any required medical certificate, sports or swimwear, and a towel for pool sessions. All PPE and safety equipment are provided by DRTC.

In which language are GWO courses conducted?

Courses are conducted in Dutch or English. We can provide support for participants with dyslexia or reading difficulties; please inform us in advance.

Where can I attend GWO training?

At our own training locations or, where permitted, in-company.

When will I receive my GWO certificate?

You will receive your certificate immediately at the end of the training. We will upload your certification details to the WINDA database.

What should I do if my GWO certificate has expired?

Depending on the module, you may need to retake the basic or an additional module. Contact us for the correct procedure. Call us at +31 118 463 382 or send an email to drtc@drtc.nl

Are there refresher trainings and what is the validity period of certificates?

Yes, we offer refresher modules for many of our courses. The validity of certificates depends on the standard and course.

What does VAT exemption mean when booking a training?

For some courses, you can choose VAT exemption. This means the training will be invoiced without 21% VAT. The exemption applies only to recognised vocational training programmes that fall under official supervision by organisations such as ILT, OPITO, GWO, or NOGEPA.

Choose VAT exemption if you are taking the course for professional purposes or as a private individual without VAT deduction rights.
Choose including VAT if you are booking on behalf of a company that can reclaim VAT from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration.

Your invoice will then state:
“Exempt from VAT under Article 11, paragraph 1, section o of the Dutch VAT Act 1968.”

What should I do if I want to cancel the course or training?

You can cancel your booking by contacting us via email or phone. For open enrolment courses you may cancel free of charge up to 5 working days before the start. For customised training you may cancel free of charge up to 14 working days before the start. If you cancel within those deadlines the full course fee will be invoiced.

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Visit our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page for more information, or contact us at +31 118 463 382 or email drtc@drtc.nl.