Stephen Crabtree
Durham,UK
Summary
GWO-certified Wind Turbine Blade Repair Technician with strong onshore and offshore experience across Siemens Gamesa and Vestas platforms. IRATA Level 1 rope access technician with extensive exposure to composite blade repairs, inspections, confined space, rescue, and high-risk industrial environments. Safety-driven, physically fit, and highly motivated professional with proven capability to perform in rotational, offshore, and demanding site conditions.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Wind Turbine Technician (IRATA Level 1)
FairWind
05.2025 - 01.2026
- Offshore SOV and CTV operations on Siemens Gamesa turbines
- Component and seal exchange activities
- Onshore composite blade repairs on Vestas turbines
- Grinding, sanding, and laminating using vacuum pumps and heat blankets
- Use of biaxial and triaxial glass, resin systems, fillers, and paint
- Detailed blade and turbine inspections with defect identification
- Accurate completion of inspection and repair documentation
- Active participation in toolbox talks and safe systems of work
Wind Turbine Blade Repair Technician (IRATA Level 1)
Renewable Field Services
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Visual blade inspections identifying erosion, cracking, and delamination
- Structural composite repairs to leading edge, trailing edge, and root sections
- Epoxy resin and fibreglass repairs to OEM standards
- Lightning Protection System (LPS) inspection, repair, and testing
- Rope access operations compliant with IRATA procedures
- MEWP operations for blade and tower access
- Quality control of completed repairs
- Blade replacement and balancing to optimise turbine performance
HGV / ADR Driver – Hazardous & Energy Sectors
UK
01.2013 - 01.2025
- Class 1 (CE) & Class 2 (C) driver transporting fuel, LPG, and hazardous chemicals
- ADR certified (Classes 2–9, including tanks)
- Worked in high-risk environments with strict H&S and PPE compliance
- Supervised loading/unloading and conducted dynamic risk assessments
- Daily vehicle checks, tachograph compliance, and documentation
- Experienced in night shifts, weekends, tramping, and long-distance operations
- (Employers included ICL, Calor Gas, Par Petroleum, Hargreaves)
Drilling Rig Operator
Drillcorp
UK & Remote Sites
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Rig setup, operation, and breakdown
- Team-based work in remote and industrial environments
- Strict adherence to health, safety, and permit systems
- Accustomed to extended rotations and working away from home
Education
High School Diploma -
Park View Community School
DurhamSkills
- CAT 3–4 blade repairs & LEP repairs
- Composite laminating & vacuum processes
- Offshore wind operations (SOV / CTV)
- Blade inspections & defect reporting
- LPS testing & maintenance
- Component & seal exchange
- Bolt tightening & torque procedures
- Confined space entry & rescue
- High risk confined space
- Permit-to-work systems & safety leadership
Certification
- Wind, Rope Access & Safety
- GWO Blade Repair (BR)
- GWO Working at Height (WAH)
- GWO Sea Survival (SS)
- GWO Enhanced First Aid (EFA)
- GWO Manual Handling (MH)
- GWO Fire Awareness (FAW)
- GWO Service Lift User (SLU)
- GWO Slinger Signaller (SLS)
- GWO Advanced Rescue (ART-H / ART-N / SART-H / SART-N)
- IRATA Level 1 – Rope Access
- IPAF – Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP)
- WTSR – Wind Turbine Safety Rules (4th Edition)
- CCNSG Safety Passport
- OGUK Medical + Chester Step
- Technical
- BTT: Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic, Bolt
- SGRE / SGTT
- BTO Vestas (V80/V90/V100 MK1–MK7.4)
- Avanti Service Lift
- Licences
- HGV Class 1 (CE) & Class 2 (C)
- ADR (Classes 2–9, Tanks)
- CPC
- Forklift
- ROSPA Advanced Motorcycle – Gold
TURBINE PLATFORMS
- Siemens Gamesa SWT 3.6-107 (offshore)
- Vestas V80 / V90 / V100 (MK1–MK7.4)
- Nordex
ROTATIONAL & CONTRACT SUPPORT ROLES
- (Between Wind Turbine Rotations)
- Various Employers | UK | Ad-hoc / Contract
- AHS
- High-risk confined space entry and rescue operations
- Work under permit-to-work systems in hazardous industrial environments
- Shutdown, maintenance, and emergency response support
- Access Support Teams – Industrial Rope Access
- Rope access support for industrial and energy-related sites
- Inspection, maintenance, and shutdown assistance
- Full compliance with IRATA and site-specific safety rules
- Waste to energy gasifiers
- Deslag operations in gasifiers on waste-to-energy sites
- Work in high-temperature, high-risk confined space environments
- Strict adherence to rescue plans and safety procedures
- Delta Access
- Rope access inspections and maintenance on stadiums and commercial buildings
- Aid climbing, rope-to-rope transfers, and complex rigging techniques
- Façade inspections, repairs, and access system support
- Kompact Solutions
- Geotechnical works on railways, embankments, and cliff faces
- Vegetation clearance, scaling, and slope stabilisation
- Installation, inspection, and repair of rock netting and catch fence systems
- Drilling operations in live rail and high-risk environments
Timeline
Wind Turbine Technician (IRATA Level 1)
FairWind
05.2025 - 01.2026
Wind Turbine Blade Repair Technician (IRATA Level 1)
Renewable Field Services
01.2025 - 05.2025
HGV / ADR Driver – Hazardous & Energy Sectors
01.2013 - 01.2025
Drilling Rig Operator
Drillcorp
01.2008 - 01.2013
High School Diploma -
Park View Community School