A.I.S., Inc. has a proven record of safely and effectively delivering services to Offshore Wind Developers, Oil & Gas Exploration, and the Dredging and Construction sectors. With personnel strategically located in coastal communities, we excel in deploying a highly skilled and geographically diverse workforce. Our extensive portfolio showcases our ability to provide high-quality, performance-driven professional, scientific, and technical services for offshore wind projects spanning from Maine to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, and the Great Lakes. We collaborate with leading technology partners, clients, and regulatory agencies to drive offshore wind innovations, including nighttime piling and 24/7 land-based remote monitoring solutions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & FIELD PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Our project managers are responsible for overseeing environmental monitoring and mitigation for marine dredging, offshore wind, and renewable energy projects. Serving as primary technical liaisons, they ensure compliance with all relevant project permits and regulations, develop comprehensive environmental monitoring plans, and analyze field data for detailed reporting.

Field Project Managers offer essential oversight and coordination for extensive teams of field staff, ensuring accurate detection of protected species through both visual and acoustic methods, thorough data review, and prompt reporting. They serve as the primary point of contact with operations management, ensuring that real-time effective mitigation actions are implemented as necessary.

OFFSHORE CLIENT REPRESENTATION & FISHERIES LIASON

PROTECTED SPECIES MONITORING & VESSEL STRIKE AVOIDANCE

PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MONITORING (PAM)

Our PAM Operators utilize approved acoustic technology to monitor the presence of marine protected species, ensuring that mitigation measures comply with regulatory requirements. They also troubleshoot and maintain acoustic monitoring equipment, whether static or towed arrays, and support a diverse range of technologies, both in the field and remotely.

We deploy Avian Monitors for projects that require documentation of shorebird species’ locations and behaviors. They collaborate with project management to protect habitats as mandated by permits, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Our Training Specialists design, maintain, and deliver comprehensive training programs for field staff. The Protected Species Observer training curriculum, developed in consultation with BOEM, BSEE, and NMFS staff, equips individuals to meet the standards required for offshore projects.

Our Protected Species Observers (PSOs) are fully trained and NMFS-approved, with medical clearance for offshore deployments and approved offshore safety training. They provide real-time monitoring and mitigation to optimize operations while ensuring regulatory compliance.

We provide Vessel Strike Avoidance Observers (VSAOs) who monitor marine protected species during all vessel movements. Similar to our PSOs, they are NMFS-approved and medically cleared for offshore work. They document protected species detections and advise vessel crews on avoidance measures.

We provide Offshore Client Representatives who oversee operations, document survey equipment calibrations, and deliver daily summaries of survey activities. They ensure adherence to HSE protocols and guarantee that the collected data meets our standards of accuracy, integrity, and service excellence.

Our Fisheries Liaison Officers provide live communication between fishing vessels and clients, utilizing their local knowledge and expertise to foster cooperation, prevent incidents, and minimize disruptions. They offer real-time advice to survey crews, ensuring efficient operations while upholding environmental standards.

AVIAN MONITORING

TRAINING

Leadership

Rick Usher
Sr. Vice President

Rick Usher’s passion for the ocean began as a child exploring the shores of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. With over 40 years of diverse experience in the marine industry, Rick’s career has spanned from commercial fishing and aquaculture to environmental management. He has captained offshore mussel harvesting vessels, managed quality control for major seafood processing companies, and logged over 5,000 hours as a commercial shellfish diver in New England waters.

In 2004, Rick joined A.I.S., Inc. His career at AIS has taken him across the U.S. and around the world, where has managed fisheries programs as well as numerous environmental monitoring projects collaborating closely with industry partners, including NOAA and the U.S. NAFO delegation. Rick’s dedication to protecting our ocean environments through accurate data collection and analysis continues to drive the mission of AIS.

Mr. Usher holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of New England.

Contact:
Phone: 508-990-9054
Email: emdmgmt@aisobservers.com

Bernard Padovani
Department Head

Bernard is the Department Head of Environmental Monitoring. His work includes overseeing the collection and analysis of environmental data, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and developing strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.

Contact:
Phone: 713-201-5726
Email: emdmgmt@aisobservers.com