What is the bare requirement for Agency or Freelance work

[Wagner Feldmann]

Hello everyone

I have watched this forum for a long time now and have been an ROV pilot for over 3 yrs now. I just wanted to ask a question that I couldn’t see the answer to.

I have 250 hrs (around) on both construction, survey and touchdown monitoring and was wondering what is the usual minimum of a person to get work in agencies?

Before I fire off my CV to just have it binned.

Thanks

[Adriaan Grobler]

Hi Wag.
I don’t know if there is a minimum requirement, hours-wise. Most guys bolster their hours, anyway.
I have worked with guys from some dodgy agencies that said that they had 100’s of hours, but didn’t have a clue, my 6 year could fly better then them.
As long as you have the right technical skills, the hours will come by themselves.
Good luck mate

[deepseacon]

Well if you have work all ready stay were you are as there is not much Agency work anyway.

But all the same there is no harm sending your CV out but now may not be the best time.

Unless you have a Aus Passport or Indian Visa.

[James McLauchlan]

Moved to ROV employment section.

[luckyjim37]

There is no minimum for agency work however you have to have your own medical and survival relevant to your work location.

A passport is essential preferable two if you can get a second one (for getting visa’s whilst you are not at home)

A couple of references will help as will having an IMCA log book or equivlent from you current position as evidence of experience.

A pulse, two arms and legs, the correct amount of fingers and toes will help although toes are not essential.

Basically an agency will forward you as available it is really down to the company if they will take you.

My first ever offshore job was through an agency with no experience at all. I would not recomend this as I struggled through the first couple of years. You are always better off starting with a company who will train you and invest in your career development.

[Wagner Feldmann]

I appreciate everyone s responses.

@Luckyjim and Agrob, I already have a IMCA logbook, with proper flying time logged..no bullshit. I even have written less time on the stick just to play it safe. Ex: While waiting on client was on seabed for 2-3 hrs and did not put that down. This happened many times over my 3 yrs working. It does no one any good by fudging their hours.

@Jamesmc Sorry about posting it in "General". I was unsure where the post should have been.

@deepseacon I am currently working with a company but feel that I have hit a brick wall and not going anywhere..very frustrated and stagnant.

By the way I have a solid electronics background and was in the Royal Navy for many years. I just wanted to get a feel for what was the norm and didn’t want to look like a prat.

[James McLauchlan]

……………

By the way I have a solid electronics background and was in the Royal Navy for many years. I just wanted to get a feel for what was the norm and didn’t want to look like a prat.

If you want to make the jump I suggest you don’t do it until you see things getting really busy. UK wise that might be May/June, but start sending your CV out now anyway. You don’t have to accept work but it pays to have your CV out there all the same.

[luckyjim37]

James is dead right. The best time to make a move is at the end of spring start of summer. Thats when most companies realise they do not have enough personnel but be aware if you go agency. The last two winters have been deathly quiet between November and March (at least I have been told it will pick up in March this year).

The previous four or five years were quiet through the winter but there was still work around or at least that was my experience.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do Jack.

[Peter Schubert]

I agree with James as well, but it never hurt me or anyone I know to put a CV out and go fishing. If your job is really that bad, put it out there now and jump when you get something. I had a friend stuck at Schilling on that AXS project for years; he put up with more than he should have and finally went looking and got picked up within a month through an agency. I would just say "always be ready to leave today" if you work for an Agency.

[luckyjim37]

It is all well and good to jump onto the first agency job. However if the market is not right after that job you could be sat at home for a couple of months. It is always good to go fishing but until the market is bouyant it is better to keep a secure income.

Moving to another company is a different ball game altogether however the topic for this thread was specific to agency working.

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