‘Humber to Hamburg’ will see 12 wind industry apprentices undertake an eight-day North Sea voyage to raise money for charity while developing the core skills needed for careers in the wind industry.
Four apprentices from GEV Wind Power, an independent service provider for wind turbine maintenance and repair, will join eight apprentices from the UK’s leading power generator, RWE, this September to undertake an eight-day sailing challenge across the North Sea, arriving in Hamburg ahead of WindEnergy Hamburg 2026, one of the world’s leading wind industry events.
The campaign, ‘Humber to Hamburg’, will take place aboard the 72-foot racing yacht CatZero, departing Grimsby Dock on September 19th, before arriving in Hamburg, Germany, four days later for WindEnergy Hamburg.
Following the exhibition, the crew will complete the return voyage to the UK, arriving in Hull. The initiative will raise money for CatZero, a charity dedicated to the support of people of all ages, including young people and families, helping them into employment or training.
As the global wind industry continues to invest in the next generation of technicians and engineers, the initiative reflects GEV Wind Power and RWE’s commitment to developing not only technical capability but also the personal qualities that underpin long-term success in the sector.
“Our people are the future of this industry. Technical skills are fundamental, but experiences like this develop confidence, teamwork and leadership. These are qualities that are just as important throughout a career in wind energy.
This event demonstrates our commitment to investing in young people and creating opportunities that extend beyond the workplace. We’re excited to be working alongside RWE and CatZero to give our apprentices an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their careers while raising money for an important charitable cause.”
Chris Sarel, GEV Wind Power Managing Director UK/EU
“We are delighted to support the ‘Humber to Hamburg’ challenge, a brilliant example of hands-on learning, teamwork and ambition in action.
Experiences like this accelerate the development of the next generation of wind technicians and engineers by building not only technical capability but the resilience, leadership and collaboration skills that underpin long careers in our industry. Sailing to WindEnergy Hamburg gives these apprentices a unique international stage to showcase their talent, strengthens ties across the supply chain, and helps raise funds for a great cause in CatZero. We wish the crew a safe and inspiring voyage.”
Luke Skeffington, RWE Offshore Operations Training Specialist
Participants will experience life aboard a high-performance racing yacht, where communication, trust and problem-solving are essential to every aspect of the voyage. The challenge also provides an opportunity for apprentices from across the industry to build lasting professional networks and strengthen relationships that will support the future of the UK’s wind energy workforce.
“Sailing has an incredible way of bringing out the very best in people. It takes individuals out of their comfort zones and develops confidence and communication in a way that few other experiences can. That’s why it’s at the heart of everything we do at CatZero. We’re delighted to be working alongside GEV Wind Power and RWE to give these apprentices an unforgettable experience that will not only support their careers but also help raise vital funds so we can continue creating life-changing opportunities for others.”
Pete Tighe, CatZero Partnership and Development Manager
The voyage has been timed to coincide with WindEnergy Hamburg, providing an opportunity to showcase the industry’s future talent on an international stage while highlighting the role apprenticeship programmes play in supporting the continued growth of renewable energy.
For the apprentices, the voyage represents far more than a sailing challenge. Spending eight days at sea will require every crew member to contribute to navigation, watchkeeping, sail handling and life on board, testing both physical and mental resilience while reinforcing the importance of teamwork.
“Taking part in the Humber to Hamburg Sail is an exciting opportunity for us. It’s something completely outside our comfort zone, but that’s what makes it exciting. We’ll be learning from each other, working together with apprentices from another company and hopefully raising as much money as possible for CatZero along the way.”
Alfie Shreeve, GEV Wind Power Apprentice Wind Technician
Alongside the charitable fundraising, the campaign will also recognise the wider supplier community supporting the initiative through sponsorship, demonstrating the collaborative nature of the wind industry and the shared commitment to developing future talent.
By arriving in Hamburg under sail, the apprentices will represent not only their respective organisations but also the next generation of professionals helping to shape the future of renewable energy.
If you would like to support the team on their voyage, please visit the Humber to Hamburg GoFundMe.
GEV Wind Power: GEV Wind Power, established in 2010 and headquartered in the UK, is a market leader in wind turbine maintenance and services, specialising in blade inspection, repair, retrofits and rope-access solutions for the wind energy sector, both onshore and offshore. GEV Wind Power has offices in the UK, Poland, Denmark, United States, Canada, Taiwan and across Australia. For further information visit: www.gevwindpower.com.
RWE: RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With its investment and growth strategy Growing Green, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. Between 2024 and 2030, RWE will invest 55 billion euros worldwide in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy, batteries, flexible generation, and hydrogen projects. By the end of the decade, the company’s green portfolio will grow to more than 65 gigawatts of generation capacity, which will be perfectly complemented by global energy trading. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net-zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.
CatZero: Founded in 2009, CatZero is an independent Humber-wide charity delivering life-changing personal development programmes for people of all ages, including children, young people, families, veterans and unemployed adults. At the centre of many programmes is CatZero’s 72-foot Challenge yacht – used not just for sailing but as a powerful catalyst for confidence, teamwork and transformation.
Many participants join at a point of crisis, out of work or disengaged from education. CatZero provides a pathway to break this cycle, helping people into employment, education or training while improving health, wellbeing and community engagement.
Using the nationally recognised Social Value Engine, CatZero’s SROI shows the value created for every £1 spent. In 2025, total social impact was £6,454,370.07 — for every £1 invested, £8.04 was returned in social value.
Charity number: 1131251
Website: www.catzero.org
