FEATURE: ROVs
Jamie moved from working outside of the submersibles into working as an observer, doing the video work inside the submersible. Suddenly the work changed completely. Jamie says “ROVs came into the marketplace in late 1979 and replaced the manned submersible almost overnight.” The new technology meant that everyone was learning on the hoof how best to operate and maintain the devices.
Emergence of ROVs transformed subsea operations
Jamie has been operating ROVs since they first came into service over 30 years ago. During this time he has seen the devices evolve to become increasingly sophisticated and reliable. Jamie joined the industry doing a summer vacation job, working as a swimmer/diver in the North Sea, when manned submersibles were used to do the work that is now carried out by ROVs. His role was to attach the lines used for getting the submersibles in and out of the water. It was an action-packed, macho environment and he liked it so much that he abandoned college and never returned.
“It was a very exciting industry to be in and the work was very well paid,” said Jamie. On top of this he was learning a set of skills which would equip him for a long term career and enable him to pick and choose contracts working across the world.
ROV operators must be adept at installing and maintaining the devices as well as operating them. Jamie reflects, “Equipment is now much more reliable than 30 years ago. Then a large part of the job was keeping the equipment going.”
Offshore with the ROV
The pattern of work for a ROV pilot in the oil industry is to work offshore on a ship or installation for a two or three week period, followed by a similar time off.
The working day consists of 12 hours on and 12 hours off, but ROV pilots must be flexible and may be called on to put in longer hours if problems arise. Generally a ROV has two crews of between two and five people, each working a 12 hour shift. On some jobs the ROV is only needed for a few hours of the week, so the crew is on standby throughout.
ROVs work in all sorts of conditions. Work class ROVs can be made to operate at depths of over 5000 metres. Faster running, shallower depths are among the most difficult conditions, with strong currents and constant scouring posing particular challenges. The
A good ROV operator needs three dimensional awareness and patience. [...] experience is vital as no two jobs are the same.
most modern vehicles are required to operate in these conditions. Jamie’s new ROV is currently working in 15 metre depths from a live dynamically positioned vessel. “It’s far more hazardous to the ROV as there is no spare room between us and the ship. At greater depth there is a lot less current and far fewer variables. The shallower depths contain kelp, shells and organic material which can all damage the ROV as well as being very near to the vessel propellers.”
The number of ROVs working in the industry is increasing rapidly, and skilled ROV pilots are much in demand to work around the world. Would-be pilots usually have existing skills in hydraulics or electronics. Then it is a case of building up supervised flying hours to get experience. A good ROV operator needs three dimensional awareness and patience. Jamie says that experience is vital as no two jobs are the same. “I enjoy the challenge of problem solving and working round new situations.”
Images: ROVOP
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