Guide To Working In The North Sea
Guide to working in the UK North Sea
Our guide for those interested in working offshore in the UK North Sea.
As there are so many different positions to research and investigate it's tough to know where to start!
Let's clear the common misconception;
'My uncle/friend/ earns a killing on the rigs, - I want a job offshore too'!
Working offshore is by no means and easy job, safety is always the top priority. The offshore environment is a challenging and hostile place in which to work and those personnel who play their part in operating and maintaining it, are each highly skilled. All offshore workers must pass intensive training and are frequently assessed to maintain their qualifications and certificates. Okay, so now we've cleared that up, let's take a closer look at what we needed.
Two things you need to have before working offshore in any discipline are:
An offshore survival certificate
An Offshore medical certificate.
OFFSHORE SURVIVAL
The offshore survival certificate for UK waters is referred to as a BOSIET.
(Basic Safety Offshore Induction and Emergency Training).
The B0SIET includes; Survival at Sea, Safety, First Aid and Hypothermia, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Helicopter Safety and Escape.
BOSIET courses vary in length between providers - usually 2 to 3 days, and with the advent of e-learning some providers allow the theory parts to be completed via the internet. The cost of a basic course is around 600, plus any accommodation costs. Courses are very popular and there can be a waiting list of a couple of weeks - though gone are the days of a single provider for the UK. The "Offshore Survival Certificate" as the BOSIET is also commonly known, is only valid for 4 years, and a refresher (usually lasting a day) must be done before your old certificate expires otherwise the whole 3 day course must be repeated. There are no exceptions to this rule.
You can pay 'Extras' or additional features which some employers may request. E.g. a little extra helicopter training escape which is bolted on to the BOSIET is considered as "Additional Safety Training" for the Norwegian sector.
The Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) course is a 5 day affair and a lot more demanding than that required in the UK. A BOSIET course is not sufficient for working in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. 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. Different countries across the world have differing requirements, some more stringent than the UK requirements described above, whereas others are frighteningly inadequate.
THE MEDICAL
In order to work offshore, each worker must pass a medical examination which ensures they are healthy and fit to work in the offshore environment.
Different offshore authorities have different requirements. 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 offshore medical certificate which it is widely referred to is only valid for a set time frame. You will have to renew it to continue working offshore. The frequency for renewal is determined by your age, and the authority or body who controls the platform or asset on which you work.
In UK waters all assets are controlled by UKOOA and they require renewals to be every 2 years. This rule is irrespective of age, and has been in effect from January 1st 2007.
A typical examination will begin with you filling out an extensive form on your medical history, and lifestyle e.g. alcohol consumption, exercise etc. After this a physical examination will be carried out:
- 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 examine your stature, breathing, reflexes, etc.
- The doctor will also discuss the form you filled in, and carry out any additional checks they think necessary.
An employer who is paying for your examination may request additional checks such as a drug test.
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 made 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 course 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 is obviously different from working in an office onshore. 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. Others find it a challenging but refreshing environment, quite different from the nine-to-five routine and the rush-hour commute.
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
Offshore crew work 12 hours a day, including rest and meal breaks, and have 12 hours off. Off-shift, workers can choose to work out in the gym, watch a video or DVD or satellite TV, play snooker, play PC games, read or just 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
There are a few other restrictions in addition to the survival and medical;
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 travelers. - 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.
Our guide for those interested in working offshore in the UK North Sea.
As there are so many different positions to research and investigate it's tough to know where to start!
Let's clear the common misconception;
'My uncle/friend/ earns a killing on the rigs, - I want a job offshore too'!
Working offshore is by no means and easy job, safety is always the top priority. The offshore environment is a challenging and hostile place in which to work and those personnel who play their part in operating and maintaining it, are each highly skilled. All offshore workers must pass intensive training and are frequently assessed to maintain their qualifications and certificates. Okay, so now we've cleared that up, let's take a closer look at what we needed.
Two things you need to have before working offshore in any discipline are:
An offshore survival certificate
An Offshore medical certificate.
OFFSHORE SURVIVAL
The offshore survival certificate for UK waters is referred to as a BOSIET.
(Basic Safety Offshore Induction and Emergency Training).
The B0SIET includes; Survival at Sea, Safety, First Aid and Hypothermia, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Helicopter Safety and Escape.
BOSIET courses vary in length between providers - usually 2 to 3 days, and with the advent of e-learning some providers allow the theory parts to be completed via the internet. The cost of a basic course is around 600, plus any accommodation costs. Courses are very popular and there can be a waiting list of a couple of weeks - though gone are the days of a single provider for the UK. The "Offshore Survival Certificate" as the BOSIET is also commonly known, is only valid for 4 years, and a refresher (usually lasting a day) must be done before your old certificate expires otherwise the whole 3 day course must be repeated. There are no exceptions to this rule.
You can pay 'Extras' or additional features which some employers may request. E.g. a little extra helicopter training escape which is bolted on to the BOSIET is considered as "Additional Safety Training" for the Norwegian sector.
The Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) course is a 5 day affair and a lot more demanding than that required in the UK. A BOSIET course is not sufficient for working in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. 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. Different countries across the world have differing requirements, some more stringent than the UK requirements described above, whereas others are frighteningly inadequate.
THE MEDICAL
In order to work offshore, each worker must pass a medical examination which ensures they are healthy and fit to work in the offshore environment.
Different offshore authorities have different requirements. 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 offshore medical certificate which it is widely referred to is only valid for a set time frame. You will have to renew it to continue working offshore. The frequency for renewal is determined by your age, and the authority or body who controls the platform or asset on which you work.
In UK waters all assets are controlled by UKOOA and they require renewals to be every 2 years. This rule is irrespective of age, and has been in effect from January 1st 2007.
A typical examination will begin with you filling out an extensive form on your medical history, and lifestyle e.g. alcohol consumption, exercise etc. After this a physical examination will be carried out:
- 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 examine your stature, breathing, reflexes, etc.
- The doctor will also discuss the form you filled in, and carry out any additional checks they think necessary.
An employer who is paying for your examination may request additional checks such as a drug test.
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 made 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 course 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 is obviously different from working in an office onshore. 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. Others find it a challenging but refreshing environment, quite different from the nine-to-five routine and the rush-hour commute.
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
Offshore crew work 12 hours a day, including rest and meal breaks, and have 12 hours off. Off-shift, workers can choose to work out in the gym, watch a video or DVD or satellite TV, play snooker, play PC games, read or just 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
There are a few other restrictions in addition to the survival and medical;
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 travelers. - 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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