4 Things You Should Know About Working Offshore

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Do you love the ocean and does it seem like the ultimate freedom to wake up to the sound of the waves? And are you not adverse to hard work? Then working offshore might interest you. But before you dust off your CV and apply to offshore jobs, there are a few things you should know! In this article we talk about 4 things you should consider before choosing for a career offshore! 

1. You'll have to train to work safely

If this is your first time applying for an offshore job, you can't expect the process to go like it does for any other job. You won't start working a few days after you get the job. The working conditions offshore can be rough, so you need to be prepared for them. Even when you apply for an 'inside job', for example as a cook on a vessel, you'll still need knowledge of how to respond in case of an emergency. You learn these skills in an OPITO course. There are multiple OPITO courses, from basic to very extensive. The 'most basic' training is called a BOSIET training, which consists of Safety Induction, Helicopter Safety & Escape, Sea Survival (including Emergency First Aid and Lifeboat) and Fire Fighting & Self Rescue. 

2. Know you'll work long hours in shifts

Working offshore isn't a nine-to-five job. You're working in an industry that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A day is usually split in two shifts; the day shift and the night shift. If you've never worked shifts before, this might be tough! Because the working conditions are hard and the pressure is high, you'll have to prove your worth if it's your first stint of working offshore. That means showing the people in your shift you can handle the work. There's a possibility you'll start of doing the worst jobs, but if you show what you're made of, you'll get better jobs later. 

3. It's a different lifestyle

While in many jobs you can relax with your mates on a Friday night and get some drinks at the pub, it's not like that at all if you work offshore. Did you know that beer and non-prescription drugs are strictly prohibited? You can even expect drug tests throughout your stay. And if you're an avid smoker that takes a smoke break every so often, working on an oil rig or wind platform might not be something for you. To avoid dangerous situations, you can't have a lighter with you and you can only smoke in the designated smoking areas where you'll find matches. 

4. It can take a toll on you

If you've never been away from your family, working offshore can be rough. Especially if you have the day shift and can only contact your loved ones at night, for instance. While working for 2-3 weeks with 2-3 weeks off afterwards seems fun, you're not allowed to leave your rig until your scheduled stint is over. And there usually aren't any exceptions - not even if there's an emergency in your family... Be prepared to deal with this! 

Does none of this scare you off? And does it still seem lovely to work hard, make good money and enjoy the smell of the ocean? Then it's time to apply for an offshore job!