OFFSHORE STRUCTURES As part of a ZIM (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, or “Central Innovation Programme for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises”) project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Institute of Materials Science (Institut für Werkstoffkunde - IW) at the University of Hanover (Leibniz Universität Hannover), in close collaboration with Diamant Metallplastic GmbH, is investigating new methods to repair flange connections for boat landings on offshore wind plants. Jan Klett, Dr Thomas Hassel and Professor Dr Hans Jürgen Maier from the University of Hanover, Carsten Kunde, CEO at Diamant Metallplastic GmbH, Robert Leuterer from Leuterer Schweiß- und Tauchtechnik, and Jan Stuhr, a professional diver and offshore advisor, detail the project.