Life Offshore

When you get an offer of employment your thoughts will turn to what it is going to be like working in what will be a very strange environment for most people. From your first trip away life will change dramatically. Not only will your starting salary be on par with middle management onshore, but you will also be living in your place of work, completely surrounded by sea, with no sight of land.You will also have to put up with questions and comments from friends and relatives like "Is it really like the Roughnecks program on the TV?"....."I bet the food's good out there isn't it?"....."Why aren't you driving a brand new car?"......that sort of thing.The industry has an above average staff turnover due in part to people being unable to adjust to the lifestyle. Don't get the wrong idea, working offshore is not as daunting or arduous as some think it must be, conditions have improved dramatically and are continuing to do so. Those working offshore are exactly the same people as work in any heavy industry. They would not be there if they did not enjoy it to a certain degree.

However statistics show that many people leave their job before doing three 'trips' offshore. This is a mistake for a lot of people because it really does take longer to adjust. Having said that, some personalities are just not suited to the environment. If on a rig with a high British contingent onboard you will likely be working with a lot of ex-forces personnel and city boys. You will certainly need a thick skin to put up with a lot of the 'banter' that goes on. Most of it is good natured though and any attempt at intimidation is usually stamped out immediately.On arrival at the rig you will be issued with safety boots, hard hat, safety glasses and coveralls. You will then be given a guided tour of the whole installation. Alarms, drills and muster points among other things will be explained to you.A positive attitude will make life offshore much more enjoyable and may increase your chances of promotion. Keep focused on why it is that you are working out there and the plus points of the job. Everyone has different reasons and goals that bring them to the offshore industry.You will work a twelve-hour day with a break in the morning, lunchtime and afternoon. 'Tea Shacks' or 'Smoko Shacks' are at various places throughout the rig and at designated times filled rolls or cakes etc. are provided.For your lunch you will take off work gear and go into the galley. The food is usually good quality with a wide selection at every mealtime. The catering crews on some rigs organize theme nights with Chinese or Mexican food making up the majority of choices on the menu.

Offshore installations operate 24 hours a day, so depending on your job you may have to do night shift. With some jobs you may have to do a combination of days and nights. There are different systems used usually dependant on helicopter arrival times and company policies. Often you will start your 'trip' on day shift and then move to night shift half way. For example if you do two weeks on-two weeks off, you may do a week of days and a week of nights.Off shift facilities vary from rig to rig.

Today most rigs have a 'cinema' with large screen TV showing satellite TV and a selection of videos or DVDs, which are updated every fortnight, most also have TVs in every room. Many have excellent gym and sauna equipment. Others have table tennis, computers with Internet links and computer game consoles. Pool and snooker tables are also very common, though not on the semi-subs .