life offshore

Lifestyle offshore has changed over the years and can be very different depending on where you are in the world. The following is a typical example from a U.K. rig.

Rigs generate their own electricity and water arrives in two forms by boat. You have drinking water and you have “Pot” water, which has many uses from flushing toilets to washing down decks and windows.

Before you start work you need to eat. You will usually get 3 breaks during your shift. Two fifteen minute breaks and a half hour lunch break. After a 12 hour shift, you eat your main meal. The food is usually of a good standard and you can eat as much as you want. There are plenty of snacks available for people that are hungry out of normal meal times. Meals are every 3 hours or so 24 hours a day.

A short briefing is conducted before you go on shift. This usually contains a brief summary of what has been going on while you have been sleeping, any safety points and what you will be doing.

Your time off is limited. You work for 12 hours, if you sleep for 8 hours, you only have 4 hours to spare. Typically this would be used by getting changed and showered and eating after your shift takes about 1 hour. You need to get up at least an hour before you start your shift, to get dressed, eat, attend the pre-work briefing and then get your work gear on and arrive at your work place on time. So with the other 2 hours you could spend half an hour queuing for a quick phone call then watch a movie in the small cinema. Or you could play a game of table tennis or table football before reading and a bit of TV. Facilities vary greatly from rig to rig. If you are on a floating rig like a semi submersible or drill ship, there will obviously not be snooker or pool tables.

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