Global Marine systems

[matt buxton]

Good morning everyone. I just under two weeks I have a interview with Global Marine. For a position as a trainee ROV pilot tech. I have 4 years of experience on the design/build/testing/operating side of the subsea industry. Have built and rebuilt AUV/ROV/TMS systems

Just curious about what kinda $$ I should be looking for when I walk into the room. I looked at the latest payrates page and it seems to vary quite about. I was looking for around 180-200GBP/d is that too high?

thanks 🙂

[K2]

subseaaddicted

With four years under your belt you’ve probably more experience than most of the GM guys 😆

GM pay salary and as a trainee you’re going to be very disappointed if you’re thinking of GBP200 per day. Unless things have changed drastically over the last few years even their sub engineers don’t get that much.

As a guide their rates used to be:

Pilot tech GBP22500 per annum
Sub Eng GBP27000 per annum
Senior Sub Eng GBP37000 per annum

These did change slightly when they tried to multiskill and I hear they’ve also had a GBP6k rise over two years. There will be a benefit package to add to this.

Be careful they don’t take you on as a JST, this is a cable jointer / ROV tech. This was the only way to get in to the ROV department at one point.

If you’ve four years experience why are you looking at being a trainee?

Good Luck
😉

[matt buxton]

Interesting…

the reason that I am applying to them is that I talked to there reps at OCEANS 07 in vancouver and just thought I would give it a shot.

I do have 4 years of experience…….but most of my experience comes from the design/build/troubleshoot/ maintanence point of view. I do have alot of operational sea time.

As this is the first company that I have formally contacted…… not to sure what to expect. I have sent some requests out to HR departments with no replies.

Any insight????

[luckyjim37]

If you are jumping accross there are a lot of other companies who are recruiting. Acergy, Subsea 7, are a couple that I have heard of this week via Omega resources I do not know if they are acting as the recruiting body. Also Mansel recruiting are looking for people for various contracts some of which might suit you. Try and email Ben Burns his email address is in the recruiting section of this site.

There are no end of companies recruiting who may be paying more than global and also I personally believe there will be a day rate increases all over the shop next year with loads of vessels coming on line and no pilots,deck crews or engineering staff to man them.

It is the best time for at least the last five years to get into the industry but you really have to have a good look at all the companies and what they have to offer.

But do also remeber personnel are as fluid as the sea in this industry and there are only a handful of staff with each company who will have been there for significant parts of there career.

[K2]

subseaaddicted

I’d expect with four years experience that you should know something about the industry and the players? Who did you work for?

Most guys who have been offshore for four years are senior PTs and sub engineers. Since we don’t know you’re background it’s difficult to help. Were you part of a ROV team but never flew the sub or were you some sort of field engineer who flew out to fix faults the teams couldn’t? What offshore operational experience do you have apart from fixing ROVs?

Your technical background sounds fine and that’s probably 60% of the job, the rest is piloting which anyone can do but the crucial thing is operational experience, knowing how do do things under many circumstances.

Cable companies pay far less than oil & gas plus the piloting is totally different. Have a look at the big companies & their websites then get your CV out. If you get no response within three or four days then call them.

It helps if you have a valid medical and survival cert, inocculations, in-date passport etc and are ready to go.

😉

[argh-o-vee]

Subseaaddicted,

I know a lad who works for them, he reckons new starts are now on 28K, that would be for a Just Stand There! This would include being a jointer and PT as K2 said. He also said you’d be on that for at least a couple of years, with ever increasing goal posts for getting promoted to a fully fledged ST.
That would also involve 10 week trips on vessels with little and poor comms, pre-historic AMOS mail where everyone on the vessel normally reads your emails before you get a chance! unless of course you happen to be alongside, which most of their vessels are then you’ll be ok.

I know trainee PT’s with companies like Acergy, SS7, Sonsub, Canyon are on approx 35k! with quicker promotion and the chance to gain more experience, it might be better puttin your CV about and seeing whats on offer first before making any decisions.

K2, Sub Eng’s on less than £200 a day…… 😯 are you sure those are’nt 1987’s rates?! lol. wel you know what they say about paying peanuts and all that! 😀

[Scott Beveridge]

As this is the first company that I have formally contacted…… not to sure what to expect. I have sent some requests out to HR departments with no replies.

Any insight????

SSaddicted,

If at all possible, try to avoid like a heart attack any / all HR departments as for the most part, these folks went to uni and learned the fine art of hiring people (nothing about offshore jobs / life) by using their infinite / learned wisdom such as: how you present yourself (how you’re dressed, how many nose hairs you have hanging out of your snog, etc.), your eloquence of the spoken word (bull$hit baffles), your body language (if a female is interviewing you, how tight your pants are… but don’t slobber!), and other such fine points…

Seriously, I’ve been in the industry for a while and have been contacted by quite a few HR depts, sent them all the necessary stuff, and had them come back to me with the generic statements "At this time….. blah, blah", "Unfortunately…… blah, blah", etc. My advice to all and sundry, try to get the ROV ops manager contact numbers and hound him / them. Good luck!

[matt buxton]

Well

Now I have much to think about.

As far as my background. I guess there is no harm in explaining a little more. Never know the right person might read this.

I have up untill very recently worked for a major ROV/AUV/MannedSUB/subsea engineering company based out of Vancouver Canada. I was employed as a Mechanical tech.

My role at the company was very diverse everything from design engineering, prototype testing, Test fitting and final assembly, preliminary testing and sea trials. Also I was involved in many AUV/ROV operational demonstrations at various locations thoughout the world. My duties while on trials/operations where of the what needs to get done gets done variety. Whether its mechanical breakdown electrical/software trouble shooting or piloting.

I have experience with
-3000/5000m AUV’s (4+ scratch builds).
-Various small and large ROV’s
-10 person manned sub
-various winches and TMS systems
-working with various world navy’s and research institutes.
-10+kt diesel powered semisubmersible ROV with 400m active sonar towfish

Also ever since I was big enough I have been operating heavy equipment

Well I feel that I have a good start on the maintenece operational aspect of the job, and I feel that I would pick up the piloting in very short order.

Anyhow I guess the next thing to do is update the old resume and start banging on doors.

On a second note……how do most companies feel about hiring Canadians???

thanks

[Scott Beveridge]

SS Addicted, You wrote:

Now I have much to think about. ………….. Ummm, I don’t think you REALLY have much to think about honestly. There are totally green guys offshore at the moment and it sounds like you’re not in that category. Re: your below stats

I have experience with
-3000/5000m AUV’s (4+ scratch builds).
-Various small and large ROV’s
-10 person manned sub
-various winches and TMS systems
-working with various world navy’s and research institutes.
-10+kt diesel powered semisubmersible ROV with 400m active sonar towfish

On your first post in this thread you wrote:

Just curious about what kinda $$ I should be looking for when I walk into the room. I looked at the latest payrates page and it seems to vary quite about. I was looking for around 180-200GBP/d is that too high?

Oh boy!! Read the ROV Pay Rates Forum (needs an update most illustrious web dudess! No time I suspect…). My answer? No it’s too LOW! Full stop. The companies probably hate when we spout off like this….

And about my northern neighbors. Never had a problem with any of them, got some good mates / acquaintences. And guess what? The ROV industry hires your southern neighbors, eh? 😆

[K2]

argh-o-vee

Scary rates eh! That’s GMSL for ya though! Probably why so may guys left a few years back.

Trainees are on GBP290 per day where I am currently working, no wonder they’re smiling! The rest of us are on a good deal too……

😉

[argh-o-vee]

K2,

Yeah, they’re scary all right!!!! PT’s at my company would’nt get out of bed for what an SSE is getting paid at GMSL. I would rather sign on the rock nd roll than do a Sub Eng’s job on 27K!!!!!

I was’nt aware the rates were that bad as my mates an engineer with them, I was only aware that first trip JST’s were on 28k as some of his 3/E’s were’nt happy as they were on more £££ than them! It is’nt surprising that these boys are’nt happy as they’ve been to college, got 2nd & Chiefs tickets and the criteria for taking on a JST was the old….yep he’s got a pulse we’ll take him on!!! I heard one of them did’nt even know how to wire up a 110V plug!!

Subseaaddicted, I think you definitely need to think about this and get your CV out to the big players, otherwise you’ll spend half your time being a cable fairy and about 5 years trying to get your pilot hours in as most they’re vessels are alongside!

Good luck, and once you’ve been for your interview be sure to let us know what they offered you!!

anyways, we’re back on deck now so I best get up the Heli-deck for an hour before the rugby starts!! Ciao.

[polo]

Hey Hey,
Just agementanworked a shift or Two on the K2 barge— it used to be good , but now is not so well, poor management etc. can send it deep six!!!!!!
POLO

[matt buxton]

allright…….thanks for the comments

as far as contacts from working in the industry……I did not work to much with the commercial/industrial side of the industry…..I have lots of Naval….university….supplier contacts….but this will not really help me get a offshore position.

after hearing from everyone about GMSL and how there rates seem to be rather low. I think I should activally pursue some other companies

This might be asking a little to much……but its worth a shot!

Could anyone PM me some contacts inside any of the major players?

(SS7,acergy,superior,canyon,fugro…..etc)

as Scotbeve mentioned I would like to stay away from the HR departments……as I have had no luck in the past with them.

thanks in advance

[Graeme Hoyle]

I left GMSL in April of last year with the rank of CSE(S), the rank that used to be SSE, because I looked at the oil and gas industry and saw how much they were earning. After 7-years with GMSL I was earning £42k, about the same as a P/T in oil and gas, and the company had been taken over by a venture capital group. Within 4 weeks of my leaving another 10 experienced guys, most of who I know, also left.

The trips have now been reduced to 8-weeks but you will still be expected to joint as well as work on ROVs. The station ships are in pleasant places (Curacao, Bermuda, Phillipines etc) but if you are after the money go into oil and gas, I did and am now working for Oceaneering as a Supervisor, they are still hiring.

[matt buxton]

GFH

Thanks for the insite.

Also please check your private messages.

cheers

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