offshore work

[fox83]

Evening guys ,looking for any info people may have on getting offshore as a chef,got all my certs & quals just looking for that contact to give me a hand on getting out there.any help or tips would be great thanks.

[Sneckboy]

You need to do the demanding RGIT offshore safety and survival course before anything else. It's not cheap either. It was over a grand and that was 10 years ago.

Also, the waiting list is enormous. It can often be 18 months. Demand for offshore work is exceptional because of the high wages.

Furthermore, due to the dangers involved, there's very strict screening and vetting protocols in place.

 

I maybe wrong but I'm sensing this could be a whim on your part. You can't just pop on the next helicopter 'cos your buddy said they're short-staffed. Coming onto a football message board "looking for that contact" suggests you haven't researched a great deal into the implications of undertaking offshore work.

 

Here's a link to one of the training service providers.

http://www.petrofactraining.com/services/training-courses/

Edited December 2, 2013 by Sneckboy

[fox83]

Cheers for that sneckboy actually completed the bosiet & mist course a few weeks ago but thanks for your thoughts

[LundavraJag]

I've had a few mates ask me in recent times if i had any tips on how to get offshore as this and that. Fortunately for me, in my line of work i can actually pop onto the next helicopter because they're short staffed but instead of the rigs im on the diving boats where it can be alot more freelance so it is probably a very different kettle of fish to get into. There are still plenty of slots and longer term positions though. We obviously have kitchen staff and stewards on these vessels too but the problem is now even in the North Sea, some of the positions are filled by Phillipino's. So the only advice i can suggest is to not just look at the Rigs, there are plenty of vessels out there too. Good luck.

[Alex MacLeod]

All I can suggest is that you fire off CV's to all the catering companies. (Aramark, ESS, Trinity etc) Also register with www.oilcareers.com. Try employment agencies. Be prepared to start at the bottom though. There are more stewards than chefs so be prepared to do the tasks of a steward. Mainly accomodation cleaning. I know many who have shelled out a lot of cash with the hope of getting offshore but never made it. Good luck.

 

 

You need to do the demanding RGIT offshore safety and survival course before anything else. It's not cheap either. It was over a grand and that was 10 years ago.

Also, the waiting list is enormous. It can often be 18 months. Demand for offshore work is exceptional because of the high wages.

Furthermore, due to the dangers involved, there's very strict screening and vetting protocols in place.

 

I maybe wrong but I'm sensing this could be a whim on your part. You can't just pop on the next helicopter 'cos your buddy said they're short-staffed. Coming onto a football message board "looking for that contact" suggests you haven't researched a great deal into the implications of undertaking offshore work.

 

Here's a link to one of the training service providers.

http://www.petrofactraining.com/services/training-courses/

Sneckboy, do you work offshore cos you paint a very bleak picture compared to the realities. And I wouldn't say the wages were high either enless your a specialist or have worked your way up from the bottom. Catering, Roustabouts, Painters, Scaffolders generally start out at around £25k average a year. Most are day rated so only paid for days worked with no sickness benefits etc. The one thing that keeps most folk in the industry is the quality time off. Most of North Sea being 2 on 3 off rotas.

[Sneckboy]

No, I don't work offshore Alex. Reading back, I admit my response to the original poster was quite negative!

I maybe, wrongly, based it on 'old' experiences of two pals from Aberdeen who paid their own way through the 'RGIT' course (or equivalent) around 2001 and have never managed to secure a job offshore - however, they're both 'unskilled' and were looking for roughneck/roustabout  work. Long since given-up I believe! Our chef friend has a skill, so hopefully, will fare better.

I had a very wee think about it myself at the time, but I don't like heights, can't swim very well and get panic attacks looking at the crab-pools at Nairn beach. So, no...!