by Jack Kane
Offshore Career Guide – UK North Sea
This guide is for people who are interested in a career in the North Sea.
As there are so many different positions to research and investigate it’s tough to know where to start!
So we’re clear, lets clarify the phrase we hear all too often;
‘Offshore workers make a packet, I want to be one of them’.
It’s well paid for a reason! The North Sea is a challenging and hostile environment to work in, and the personnel required to operate an oil rig are each highly skilled. Each offshore worker has to pass rigorous training in order to qualify to work, and they are frequently assessed to maintain their certificates. Working offshore is in by no means an easy job, and safety is always a priority. Now we’re clear on that let’s take a look at the essentials.
Two things which are essential to working offshore are:
An offshore survival cert.
An offshore medical
OFFSHORE SURVIVAL
Firstly for UK waters the offshore survival certificate is known as a BOSIET
(Basic Safety Offshore Induction and Emergency Training).
The BOSIET includes Safety; Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, First Aid and Hypothermia, Helicopter Safety and Escape, and Survival at Sea.
The BOSIET is commonly known as the ‘Offshore Survival Certificate’ or ‘Survival Ticket’. It is valid for four years, and re-fresher (usually lasting one day) must be taken before the original certificate expires. The courses vary in length between providers, however it is usually lasts between 2 to 3 days. With the advent of e-learning some providers allow the theory parts to be completed via the internet. The cost of the BOSIET course is around 600 GBP, plus any accommodation costs.
You can pay ‘Extras’ or additional features which some employers may request. e.g. a little extra helcipoter training escape which is bolted on to the BOSIET is considered as “Additional Safety Training” for the Norwegian sector.
Different countries across the world have differing requirements, some more stringent than the UK requirements described above, whereas others are frighteningly inadequate. For example a BOSIET course is not sufficient for working in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) course, is a 5 day affair and a lot more demanding than that required in the UK. Most offshore training companies in the UK run courses allowing you to work in other sectors. These are often run as additions to the BOSIET course.
THE MEDICAL
To be fit to work offshore, each and every worker must pass a medical examination which declares them medically fit and healthy to work offshore.
For UK waters only physicians who are approved by the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) Health Advisory Committee should carry out the examination and issue certificates.
The medical ticket which it is commonly reffered to is only valid for a set time frame. This is determined by your age and the authority or body who controls the asset on which you work. You will have to have it renewed every so often in order to continue working offshore.
For UK waters, all assets are controlled by UKOOA and renewals are necessary 2-yearly, with effect from 1 Jan 2007, irrespective of the age of the offshore person.
The typical medical examination will entail a physical examination and you will be required to complete an extensive form on your medical history and lifestyle, e.g. exercise and alcohol consumption.
- Urine check (for protein and sugar)
- Height, weight and resultant Body Mass Index calculation
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Basic eye sight test including colour vision
- Lung capacity check
- Hearing test
-Physical. A doctor will examin your stature, breathing, reflexes, etc.
- The doctor will also discuss the form you filled in, and carry out any additional checks they think necessary.
If your employer is paying for the examination they may ask for additional checks, e.g. drug test, to be carried out.
The Next Step
Don’t rush out the door and get you survival and medical ticket just yet! These are just the two essentials you are required to have to enable you to work offshore. Now you have make the decision what exactly you want to do on the rig. Perhaps you already have some skills you could develop further. For example if you are chef or an electrician, you could simply develop the job you already and adapt your skills to work offshore. This may mean additional training or qualifications. Do your research, investigate everything further. Find out what skills are in demand at the moment and the costs involved in becoming qualified. Research who runs the courses and the governing body who oversee it. Listed below is a short list of the many job categories to investigate further.
Engineering
Drilling
Piping
Marine/Diving/ROV
Technicians
N.D.T. & Rope access personnel
Specialized trades & Riggers
Health & Safety
Geologists & Geosciences
Working Offshore
Working offshore on an oil platform is very different from working in an on shore office! Some find it a challenging but refreshing environment, quite different from the nine-to-five routine and the rush-hour commute. The long working day (12 hours), the harsh weather conditions, especially in the North Sea, the remoteness, and the reliance on helicopter travel do not suit everyone.
What To Expect
A typical North Sea production platform will boast a core crew of 50-100 men and women. Living quarters are compact but comfortable, usually en-suite, with 2 or more to a cabin. Food is good and plentiful, although do not expect a beer with your meals – alcohol is strictly prohibited offshore. A lot depends on the installation. Whether it is a drilling rig, a production platform, or an FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel) they all differ. Some are large, some huge, others small. As a result, the facilities they offer all vary
Crews Offshore work an average of 12 hours per day this includes rest and meal breaks, They then have 12 hours off. Off-shift workers are able to use the gym (yes they do have them), watch a DVD or satellite Television, play pool, video games, read, sleep or generally hang out with their colleagues. Offshore crew usually work on a production platform for a period of two weeks before having a rest period onshore for two weeks – 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, though 2 weeks on and 3 weeks off is becoming increasingly common. Those in drilling and exploration can spend longer offshore.
Downsides
It does have downsides. Living with work colleagues, means that an offshore worker has to be able to co-operate in a group. You have to get on with your cabin mates. Work disagreements need to be patched up quickly. Being away from home can also be a problem. Missing out on the kids’ birthdays may be the least of your concerns; unfortunately prolonged absence from home can be a catalyst for divorce and family break up.
Restrictions
Some other restrictions, in addition to the medical and survival;
- The minimum age for working offshore in the UK sector is 18.
It is not unknown for people to be denied travel offshore because their breath smells of alcohol. Additionally, some operators have provision for carrying out random drugs tests on potential travellers. – You are not allowed to travel offshore under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. This is strictly enforced at the heliport departure desk.
- There is a limit to how long you can spend offshore in any one trip. Most operators have a 21 day limit on this. After 21 days you must be onshore for 7 days before travelling offshore again.
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