Courses: You will need to make that first step.

So you want to work offshore and need to know how you go about it?

 OFFSHORE SURVIVAL

Just about every operator worldwide insists that everyone travelling to one of their offshore assets (production platform, drill rig, FPSO etc) must complete an offshore survival course before being allowed to travel. This offshore survival training applies to employees and visitors alike, irrespective of the length of the visit, whether it be for a 2 week rotation or one afternoon's survey.

The offshore survival course is an absolute necessity for those wanting to work offshore. The courses vary in length but the cost for a basic course is approximately £800, not including the cost of accommodation. Please note - doing a course does not guarantee that you will get work!

Unfortunately there are no course fee concessions for anyone who is unemployed and it is difficult  to obtain company sponsorship for the course. Additionally, the courses are very popular and they become booked up very quickly. As a result you may have to apply for one far from where you live and possibly have to wait several months before you can attend it. We suggest that you contact some. Some operators will put employees through courses after recruitment. 

Companies that organise courses Below is an example of the companies, just click on the logo to go to their website.

The BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training) course is designed forpersonnel intending to work on an offshore installation in the UK sector and forms part of a Common Offshore Safety Induction process.

The course provides an awareness of the hazards encountered when travelling to and from offshore installations, offshore safety regime and safety management systems. It also includes theoretical  and practical training in sea survival, including first aid, basic fire fighting and self rescue, helicopter safety and escape.

The course provides attendees with a basic level of understanding and awareness of safety and emergency response on offshore installations.

The course focuses on the following elements:

Safety Induction: Offshore hazards, their control and consequences. Waste disposal/environmental awareness. How offshore safety is regulated. How offshore safety is managed. Procedures for prescribed medicines. Alcohol and substance abuse policy. PPE requirements. Procedures for reporting incidents, accidents and near misses. Role of the Medic.  

Helicopter Safety & Escape: Pre boarding. Safe boarding. In flight safety. Safe disembarkation. In flight emergency actions. Use of emergency breathing system equipment. Practical emergency escape breathing system training. Practical emergency ditching and escape training.  

Sea Survival: Abandonment theory and practical sea survival training. Actions for mustering and boarding of a survival craft, and actions as a passenger during launching operations. Use of helicopter rescue strops, and winching procedures. Emergency first aid including CPR.  

Firefighting and Self Rescue: Nature and causes of fire. Fixed systems and response. Use of hand held extinguishers. Operation of fixed hose reels. Self rescue techniques in reduced visibility and completely obscured visibility. Use of escape hoods.  

The OPITO BOSIET course is 3 days in duration and the cost of a basic course is around £600, plus any accommodation costs.

Certification is valid for 4 years, and a refresher Further Offshore Emergency Training (FOET - 1 day) must be completed before your basic certificate expires otherwise the whole 3 day course must be repeated. There are no exceptions to this rule.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Additional training can be provided to candidates who hold a valid OPITO BOSIET or FOET certificate. This will allow them to satisfy the requirements of the North Sea Mutual Acceptance of Basic Safety and Emergency Preparedness Training Agreement dated 1st November 2007, to provide additional training in compliance with OLF requirements, for personnel who are not in possession of OLF Basic Safety training (02) certification.

The programme focuses on the additional requirements for:

Norwegian Survival Suit & Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS Revision)

a.     Able to don and use the survival suit and emergency breathing system  

Escape Chute

a.     Correct entering of chute  

b.     Evacuation through the escape chute  

c.     Correctly exiting the chute  

Lifesaving First Aid

a.     Free air way, stabilise and recovery position  

b.     Stop bleeding, prevent circulation failure 

MEDICALS

Different offshore authorities have different requirements. For UK waters only physicians who are approved by the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) now OGUK - Health Advisory Committee should carry out the examination and issue certificates.

The offshore medical certificate, as it is commonly known, is only valid for a limited time, and you need to renew it to continue working offshore. The frequency for renewal depends on the authority controlling the asset you are visiting and your age.

For UK waters, all assets are controlled by OGUK and renewals are necessary, with effect from 1 Jan 2007, irrespective of the age of the offshore person.

Individual Operators retain the right to request medical assessments more frequently.  

OGUK Offshore Medicals (formerly known as UKOOA) 

You will need to pass an Offshore Medical Examination if you wish to work offshore. 

The OKUK Offshore Medical is valid for two years and allows you to work in the UK sector or the North Sea. 

An OGUK Offshore Medical normally consists of the following: 

Screening:-  

Completion of Patient Questionnaire, 

Urinalysis – routine urine test with immediate result 

BMI – measurement of height, weight and calculation of Body Mass Index 

Near Distance and Colour Vision 

Pulse and Blood Pressure Measurement 

Lung Function Test (peak flow) 

Audiogram (hearing test) 

Consultation with a doctor 

Norwegian Medical 

The Norwegian Medical is very similar to the OGUK Offshore Medical and allows you to work in Norwegian waters. The Norwegian Certificate can be issued at the same time as an OGUK. 

Netherlands Medical 

The NOGEPA (Netherlands Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Association) Offshore Medical allows you to work in UK, Norwegian or Dutch sectors of the North Sea. 

ERT Medicals

Members of Emergency Response Teams (ERT) require a level of fitness which is assessed by an initial ERT Medical Examination. The initial ERT Medical is similar to the OGUK Offshore Medical with the addition of an ERT Health Review, Spirometry (lung function test) and a Fitness Test (Chester Step). An annual review including Spirometry (lung function test) and a Fitness Test (Chester Step) is required. 

Diving Medicals

Professional Divers 

According to the Diving at Work Regulations 1997, all professional divers must have a valid certificate of medical fitness to dive, issued by an HSE Approved Medical Examiner of Divers. The certificate of medical fitness to dive is valid up to a maximum of 12 months. 

For the initial HSE Diving Medical Examination it is necessary to bring with you a completed health questionnaire which can be found in Annex A on Page 22 of the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) leaflet ‘The Medical Examination and Assessment of Divers (MA1)’ which is found at www.hse.gov.uk/diving/information.htm

Sports Divers 

Sports Divers are required to undergo routine medicals in an effort to maintain the safety of diving in the UK. 

For more information relating to the Diving industry please see the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) website at www.hse.gov.uk/diving

Seafarers Medicals

ENG1 Seafarers Medicals are the main medical fitness certification for those who work at sea. An MCA (Marine and Coastguard Agency) approved doctor is required to issue the ENG1 certificate after a full medical has taken place. For more information please see able on the MCA’s website at www.mcga.gov.uk