A Rhode Island company will be the first of its kind to build a vessel to support the development of the inaugural U.S. offshore wind farm, planners said.

Rhode Island Fast Ferry was contracted by developer Deepwater Wind to build a vessel and design the training for crew transfer. The ferry company will invest more than $4 million and employ more than 70 workers to build the vessel.

"This will mean more jobs in the marine trades for Rhode Islanders and another way that the Ocean State will lead the growth of this new American offshore wind industry," Deepwater Wind Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Grybowski said in a statement.

The ferry company will provide crew and equipment support during the construction of the Block Island wind farm off the Rhode Island coast.

The Rhode Island government in May 2014 signed off on environmental permits for what will become the nation's first offshore wind farm, Deepwater Wind's Block Island project.

The wind farm will generate enough power to meet the annual energy demands of more than 17,000 households. Construction begins in full swing next year.

Deepwater Wind's proposal is under review by the Long Island Power Authority. If approved, commercial operations could begin within the next three years.