Oceaneering ROV Pilot

😕 😕 😕

Can anyone tell me why the guys working in the GOM are paid so little?? There’s ME companies paying more! Serious answers / assumptions only please.

James,

That holds true for some occupations offshore, however, I’ve met and worked with some lads who are very capable / qualified with ROV’s here in the GOM. There are only a few who are willing to "venture out" in the world / elsewhere perhaps due to committments and contracts. Is it the tail wagging the dog routine???

Yes, I’m "home" for this hitch…

Hey Djan,

I agree that a majority of "offshore workers" in the GOM are most likely overpaid, but there really are some ROV guys / gals and scurvey guys / gals that could cut the mustard with us crusty dudes (I did say some).

Ratt,

Just worked there and due to competency schemes, the ET’s must learn Hyd / mech and the Hyd / mech dudes must learn ET. I can see where it (competency schemes) would work for this aspect. On the job the guys were supervised closely when working out of their discipline.

Well I have worked in both locations. There don’t seem to be enough cross training in the states you’re either a MT or ET, heaven forbid if you ask for a chance to fly in the GOM before reaching the two year mark. As far as fixing your own equipment they do it but use on shore support in more severe cases. Working in Africa for (Dubai) I do see more cross training which is a better thing in my opinion but in saying this I see better techs and pilots come out of the US, I’m speaking of the Sr. guys not the new hires. The pay in the GOM is a disgrace and I would not get out of bed now for what they get paid. In saying this the ROV crews in the GOM need to get off their butts and quit complaining for they are the only ones that can get the pay increased!! We should all get the same pay according to the job not the location you choose to live.

Well after reading all the post on here i see both truth and lies with what some have said about the GOM ROV Techs. I have worked in the Gulf Of Mexico for 12 years in all aspects of the Industry from Supply Boats, Diving and Now ROV work. I will say that for certain companies that they will fly in techs to do repairs if anything happens but at the same time smaller companies like mine require there tenders, Techs and Pilots to multi-task and understand and know all aspects of the ROV and its internals. We started out with a small unit that was easy to trouble shoot and repair on site, We then moved up to larger units that was more complex and have quickly learned to handle all of our repairs. We have ET’s that can handle and troubleshoot Hydraulics as well as MT’s that can handle and troubleshoot Electronics. This goes the same for our pilots. From a stand-point our tenders are experienced and can and have handled alot of the repairs to the units with little to no supervison. Everyone has there voices if this is safe or not but the way you learn is by doing hands on not by watching. I myself can pilot, troubleshoot and repair all aspects of our systems without any tech help from shore. This comes from alot of experience having to do on spot repairs to complete the job or project that we are working on. In the end it is about getting the job finished, not who is better than who. As far as pay goes well i have heard how the North sea gets paid better and they have a better class of workers as well as other parts of the world. This may hold true for the pay but i will not agree with the saying that they have a better class of workers. The GOM has a strong working history, Without ROV’s the GOM would not and could not be expanding the way it is. The pay sucks yes i agree but we still come out here and get the job done. This isnt because this is the only job that we can hold. Yes that may hold true for some but for the most part the GOM ROV crewmembers are here because they love what they do and in the end if you dont love what you do then dont do it and go somewhere else. After the hurricanes hit the gulf the ROV crews are out inspecting and repairs platforms from shallow water to deep water to get the production back up and running. Other parts of the world doesnt have issues like this. Why is the GOM the only area that is talked about for being a joke. If people would open there eyes more and understand that the GOM relys on the work of ROV’s then maybe they would show more respect for the work and workers here. Just remember that not all companies are alike. My company is by far one of the best companies as far as Cross Training there employees in all aspects of work and repairs. The company that i am starting will be the same way but instead of trying to compete against other companies i am going to be helping all companies providing repairs, representatives, consulting and other services. To get a job done requires support and teamwork from everwhere. Not one person in this industry can say i am better than you or he is better than him because they are not any better they just have there head to far above the clouds thinking they are something they are not. In closing i want to say that before people talk down on the GOM ROV crews and workers they need to look a little deeper as to what goes on down here. I work here day in and day out. I am not a contractor and temp and i am not a student. I have the experience to go other places but i choose to say in the GOM because the work is steady and i am happy.