Method for loading equipment and/or personnel onto a wind turbine platform

A method for loading equipment onto a platform mounted on a nacelle tower or on a monopile or tripod or jacket foundation of an offshore wind turbine, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) mounting a crane comprising a beam, and a winch and wire assembly on said platform;
• the crane being configured for wireless activation and operation;
• b) approaching said platform with a water-borne vessel with equipment and/or personnel for loading onto said platform;
• c) wirelessly activating said crane, and wirelessly operating said crane to lower its winch wire end down to the water-borne vessel;
• d) directly or indirectly releasably mounting a coupling device to said winch wire end;
• said coupling device comprising a first part of a coupling mechanism configured to releasably couple the coupling device to a transport container;
• e) releasably coupling the coupling device to the transport container adapted for holding equipment and/or personnel and positioned on the water-borne vessel, said transport container comprising a second part of the coupling mechanism configured to releasably couple the coupling device to the transport container;
• wherein the first and/or second part of said coupling mechanism are configured to decouple from the other part upon receipt of a wireless decoupling signal;
• f) wirelessly operating said crane to position said transport container on the platform, and decoupling said coupling device from said transport container by transmitting a wireless decoupling signal;
• g) wirelessly operating said crane to lower the coupling device down to the water-borne vessel;
• optionally repeating steps e) to g) one or more times;
• h) decoupling the coupling device from the winch wire end;
• i) wirelessly operating said crane to raise its winch wire end;
• and
• j) wirelessly deactivating said crane.