New Job! Working Offshore?

kinger88 · 14 May 2010 at 21:24

Hey all!

Relatively new to the forums but a long time lurker! Been at the University of Plymouth for the last 3 year studying Ocean Exploration , basically a fancy name for Hydrography. Got offered a job today working as an offshore surveyor! Pretty pleased with myself!

Start in July, looking forward to it. Was just wondering has anyone worked offshore and what there experiences are/was? What they think of work offshore and how it affects their home life as I could potential be working way for long periods of time? Looking forward to it though as I love what I am studying and looking forward to working in a professional environment.

Thanks in advance.

Kinger

Jokester · 14 May 2010 at 21:26

I take it this will be on a survey ship doing seismic surveys?

kinger88 · 14 May 2010 at 21:35

Potentially some small seismic work but more Bathymetric surveys. Like supporting oil rigs, pipeline surveys and surveys for renewables, etc.

Ev0 · 14 May 2010 at 23:57

Sounds great, well done.

Some guys over on another forum I use work on some of the rigs in the north sea, they seem to like the lifestyle and the money that comes with it.

Bengaboy · 15 May 2010 at 00:01

Im so sorry you have had to spend 3 years in Plymouth - absolute ****hole!

Barbicans ok though.

Well done though pal!

Redman · 15 May 2010 at 00:48

kinger88 said:
Been at the University of Plymouth for the last 3 year studying Ocean Exploration...

What they think of work offshore and how it affects their home life as I could potential be working way for long periods of time?

Hmm, first time you've considered this issue?

Amp34 · 15 May 2010 at 02:12

*******. I graduated last year from plym and have been trying to get a job offshore. Still haven't got anywhere.

Have fun! It's almost certainly going to take a toll on any relationships you have though and you'll probably get sick of travelling, at least that's what I've heard so far.

Amp34 · 15 May 2010 at 02:13

Bengaboy said:
Im so sorry you have had to spend 3 years in Plymouth - absolute ****hole!

Barbicans ok though.

Well done though pal!

I really enjoyed my time at Plymouth, yeah it doesn't have the clubs of other places but I was never really into that anyway. Shame you didn't enjoy the time.

kinger88 · 15 May 2010 at 02:22

Bengaboy said:
Im so sorry you have had to spend 3 years in Plymouth - absolute ****hole!

Barbicans ok though.

Well done though pal!

Cheers mate! I quite enjoyed my time in Plymouth, but then again compared to my home town of Gloucester, anything is better!

Redman said:
Hmm, first time you've considered this issue?

It not the first time i have considered the issue. Threw out the course the lecturers made it pretty clear what the potential lifestyle will be! Was a big factor actually as I’m pretty serious with my g/f but she know this is what I want to do and she supports me in that, if it works with her it'll be great, if not, it doesn’t, life moves on. Just wanted to know if anyone else works off shore and if they enjoy the lifestyle? Actually looking forward to the time off that comes with it and the money is not bad either for a graduate salary!

Amp34 said:
*******. I graduated last year from plym and have been trying to get a job offshore. Still haven't got anywhere.

Have fun! It's almost certainly going to take a toll on any relationships you have though and you'll probably get sick of travelling, at least that's what I've heard so far.

Ah that sucks mate! Keep trying though, sure something will come up. What course did you do by the way?

Yeah ill realise it'll take a toll on my relationship, but we both graduate this year and want to pursue the careers that we've worked hard for. As said before if it works, it works if not, meh.

Ollie83 · 15 May 2010 at 02:25

You get used to working away and the time off is great!

Amp34 · 15 May 2010 at 03:19

Did geology so looking at mudlogging, geophys or something along those lines. At the moment i'm heading to do a masters next academic year but I'm worrying that will take me away from offshore work...

What rotation do you have? Standard(ish) 4/4? I went to an interview last week and it was offered as 4 on, 2 off and 2 in the office! No thanks, especially for the salary (didn't get the job in the end anyway). I'm looking to head into seismic personally, reasonably well paid, especially offshore and lots of time off.

Ollie83 · 15 May 2010 at 03:23

Most of the north sea is on 2 on and 3 off i thought!? Thats what I do anyway.

Nix · 15 May 2010 at 03:29

Quite a few of us Plymouthian alumni lurking on here now it seems.

Two years out and no 'proper' work here. We're not doing our uni much favours are we?

Amp, I've figured (in case you haven't already guessed) that I'm going to do a TEFL course around Xmas if I've made no progress again (would help if I actually applied more!), and sod off to Asia for a year. Figure I can save up out there and then come back and do a post-grad. Tired of stagnating now, figured my 20s are for throwing caution to the wind, so that's the game-plan. Teaching abroad, I imagine, also has the added bonus of adding a bit of character and employability to my CV.

OP, a member on here (Kahn) has worked offshore IIRC, so I imagine he'll be best suited to give appropriate answers I think. Best of luck in your new career.

Amp34 · 15 May 2010 at 03:38

Ollie83 said:
Most of the north sea is on 2 on and 3 off i thought!? Thats what I do anyway.

What speciality? I guess it depends who you work for and what speciality. Mudlogging appears to be 4/4, but I don't know if it changes in the North Sea (the two I had interviews for were looking for people to work in West Africa) and I know marine Seismic is either 6/6 or 5/5 depending on company, but again they don't necessarily work in the North Sea.

Personally i'm not too keen to work on rigs, however if it gets me a job and a step up then that's what i'll do.

Nix said:
Quite a few of us Plymouthian alumni lurking on here now it seems.

Two years out and no 'proper' work here. We're not doing our uni much favours are we?

Amp, I've figured (in case you haven't already guessed) that I'm going to do a TEFL course around Xmas if I've made no progress again (would help if I actually applied more!), and sod off to Asia for a year. Figure I can save up out there and then come back and do a post-grad. Tired of stagnating now, figured my 20s are for throwing caution to the wind, so that's the game-plan. Teaching abroad, I imagine, also has the added bonus of adding a bit of character and employability to my CV.

OP, a member on here (Kahn) has worked offshore IIRC, so I imagine he'll be best suited to give appropriate answers I think. Best of luck in your new career.

My sister did/is doing a TEFL course at the moment and is thinking of heading off to somewhere like South Korea for a bit after this summer (She graduates this year and is working over the summer). Could be interesting if you're in to that kind of thing.

Nix · 15 May 2010 at 03:41

I've been sat literally watching the world go by working in an absolutely degrading job. Time to do something exciting. I'm not usually someone who gets afraid of things, but honestly, I'm petrified about the prospect of getting older and looking back and thinking I miss the boat again. I'm a geographer, I'm supposed to travel!

Amp34 · 15 May 2010 at 03:46

Nix said:
I've been sat literally watching the world go by working in an absolutely degrading job. Time to do something exciting. I'm not usually someone who gets afraid of things, but honestly, I'm petrified about the prospect of getting older and looking back and thinking I miss the boat again. I'm a geographer, I'm supposed to travel!

I feel exactly the same, depressing to the extreme and even more annoying that no one will give me a chance!

"We've chosen people who had more experience"...

panthro · 15 May 2010 at 05:14

I dont work offshore but I work in the same field. I work on a Fly In Fly Out contract. It does take its toll on normal everyday family life but providing your partner is capable with you being away it works ok. Its not something I would do forever though (FIFO), next job I will be taking my other half with me.

zootfloot · 15 May 2010 at 06:33

I have often wondered about working offshore.

I have a couple of friends and acquaintances who work on the rigs and they really dont have much to say about it other than the money's good and they miss their families.

Is less money and more family time the key to happiness here?

Chris_83 · 15 May 2010 at 08:06

I work in the oil business. but onshore. I've often considered going offshore but a number have things have always stopped me. Most rigs work 2 weeks on and 3 weeks off, which is great for the time off however the 2 weeks is like a prison sentance. I prefer to be able to go home at the end of the working day, chill out with a beer and a movie in my own space. I also like having the option to leave work early if I want, book the next day off as a holiday, have my weekends free etc
Remember while your offshore you'd miss loved ones birthdays and even Christmas/New Year. Also bad weather will stop the helicopter flying, so you could be stranded on a rig working extra days (although the overtime is VERY nice).

Positive side is you can easily earn double onshore wages. Swings and roundabouts

-Ad- · 15 May 2010 at 11:29

Starts writing CV again.

I don't suppose 'TF2 Elite Engi with excellent sentry gun building skills and 50 kills per game' would help at all?

Need to really consider my career. Done 2.5yrs in rail (Graduate scheme) and I really don't see my career progressing that far here. Must do some research on this, possibility for a Mechanical/Materials Engi!