"US Boat Patrols Safeguard Jobs Amidst Offshore Wind Farm Expansion"

American marine companies and mariners are concerned about being left behind in the nascent U.S. offshore wind industry. The Offshore Marine Service Association is monitoring whether foreign-flagged vessels are being used instead of U.S.-made ships with American crews. The U.S. fleet currently lacks specialized ships for offshore wind installation, but U.S. ship operators argue that they have similar vessels capable of doing the work. Danish energy company Ørsted, developing the South Fork Wind project, responded that 75% of the vessels supporting the project's offshore construction are U.S.-flagged. However, larger U.S.-flagged offshore wind vessels are not yet built. The industry aims to tap into American workers, contractors, suppliers, and vessels as it expands.