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- OIL AND GAS JOBS - INSIGHT
- OIL AND GAS JOBS - INSIGHT
- OIL AND GAS JOBS - INSIGHT
- OIL AND GAS JOBS - INSIGHT
Archived on: Saturday 17th July 10
Industry focus
Every few months Northseaoiljobs interviews a chosen professional working in the UK oil and gas sector to gain insight into the Industry. By doing so hope we hope to share their knowledge, advice, and views with our candidates, and others interested in a career in the industry...
Voice of the Industry: Interview
Roy Clarke has been working in the North Sea and around the world as a commercial diver. NorthSeaOilJobs caught up with him to gain some insight into his career.
How long have you been working in the industry?
I have been working as a commercial diver both in the North Sea and around the world for the last 18 years. In this time I have worked on many different projects. Tasks range from cable laying and installing subsea instrumentation, to subsea platform inspection, well head maintenance and repair, pipe laying, underwater video surveying, to training and supervising dive teams in accordance with current regulations.
I have been working as a commercial diver both in the North Sea and around the world for the last 18 years. In this time I have worked on many different projects. Tasks range from cable laying and installing subsea instrumentation, to subsea platform inspection, well head maintenance and repair, pipe laying, underwater video surveying, to training and supervising dive teams in accordance with current regulations.
How did you get into this role/position?
I began diving recreationally in my youth, and since developed what was then a passionate hobby into a full time career. I started working in the industry as a mechanical fitter and was given the opportunity to train as a commercial air and saturation diver. I have been doing it ever since.
I began diving recreationally in my youth, and since developed what was then a passionate hobby into a full time career. I started working in the industry as a mechanical fitter and was given the opportunity to train as a commercial air and saturation diver. I have been doing it ever since.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently supervising a dive & ROV team inspecting offshore installations in the Middle East Gulf. After that I’m back to UK for a contract in the North Sea southern sector.
I’m currently supervising a dive & ROV team inspecting offshore installations in the Middle East Gulf. After that I’m back to UK for a contract in the North Sea southern sector.
How has the industry changed since you first started eighteen years ago?
It has changed quite considerably. A lot of the repair and inspection work that would then have been completed by divers is now done by ROV. From the employers perspective it is often cheaper and safer to deploy ROV’s especially at greater depths. There is still a requirement for divers for tasks the ROV’s cannot do especially with complex underwater work such as welding. Work for divers has certainly gotten more scarce since I first started out.
It has changed quite considerably. A lot of the repair and inspection work that would then have been completed by divers is now done by ROV. From the employers perspective it is often cheaper and safer to deploy ROV’s especially at greater depths. There is still a requirement for divers for tasks the ROV’s cannot do especially with complex underwater work such as welding. Work for divers has certainly gotten more scarce since I first started out.
Commercial diving is often considered dangerous, have you had any close calls?
We don’t tend to talk about the accidents. I have been lucky, there was a couple of times I thought I was in a game over situation purely from the huge swells from the bad weather on resurface. In the last decade it has gotten a lot safer, but it still has its risks. I’ve had a couple of supervisor friends who have watched their dive partners not make it back to the surface alive. Burning anything underwater is dangerous, bell portholes can blow in, face plates can blow out from oxygen explosions or you can suffocate from being sent the wrong breathing gas. The weather can really cause havoc as well. The surface can change quickly; from relatively calm when you went down, to rough with 30 foot swells on the way back up in is as little as 30 minutes. That is no fun especially fully suited, with 25 kilos of equipment!
We don’t tend to talk about the accidents. I have been lucky, there was a couple of times I thought I was in a game over situation purely from the huge swells from the bad weather on resurface. In the last decade it has gotten a lot safer, but it still has its risks. I’ve had a couple of supervisor friends who have watched their dive partners not make it back to the surface alive. Burning anything underwater is dangerous, bell portholes can blow in, face plates can blow out from oxygen explosions or you can suffocate from being sent the wrong breathing gas. The weather can really cause havoc as well. The surface can change quickly; from relatively calm when you went down, to rough with 30 foot swells on the way back up in is as little as 30 minutes. That is no fun especially fully suited, with 25 kilos of equipment!
What do you most enjoy about your job?
I enjoy the variety in it, and the friends I have made from it. No day is ever the same, some are very challenging others are fairly routine. There is a misconception that commercial diving is a well paid job, but in reality this is not the case. Unless of course your doing Saturation, which doesn’t come around too often. I make a living but I’m really not doing it for the money, its diving I love.
I enjoy the variety in it, and the friends I have made from it. No day is ever the same, some are very challenging others are fairly routine. There is a misconception that commercial diving is a well paid job, but in reality this is not the case. Unless of course your doing Saturation, which doesn’t come around too often. I make a living but I’m really not doing it for the money, its diving I love.
What is your most memorable experience in the North Sea?
It could be weaving through the cold murky water, with messed up umbilicals, and lost comms. Or fighting the gale force winds and massive swells, suiting up, and being the first to take first plunge. Some days we have calm seas and perfect visibility. The over inquisitive marine life always make me smile, they never can quite can’t figure out what we’re up to.
It could be weaving through the cold murky water, with messed up umbilicals, and lost comms. Or fighting the gale force winds and massive swells, suiting up, and being the first to take first plunge. Some days we have calm seas and perfect visibility. The over inquisitive marine life always make me smile, they never can quite can’t figure out what we’re up to.
What advice would you give to people considering a career in the North Sea?
While I would never try to talk someone out of chasing their dream I would advise those considering a career in commercial diving to be aware that work is currently hard to come by. Divers such as myself have built up many years of experience and even we sometimes struggle in between contracts. Getting an HSE Part 1 qualification takes a lot of time and money, so anyone considering it should make the choice wisely. Get informed; find out all you can until you are fully satisfied. Be aware it can take a lot of time until you get the first job; most employers in the North Sea are looking for a minimum of 5 years experience. Having said that I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far, and wish anyone interested in pursuing a future in diving the very best of luck!
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While I would never try to talk someone out of chasing their dream I would advise those considering a career in commercial diving to be aware that work is currently hard to come by. Divers such as myself have built up many years of experience and even we sometimes struggle in between contracts. Getting an HSE Part 1 qualification takes a lot of time and money, so anyone considering it should make the choice wisely. Get informed; find out all you can until you are fully satisfied. Be aware it can take a lot of time until you get the first job; most employers in the North Sea are looking for a minimum of 5 years experience. Having said that I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far, and wish anyone interested in pursuing a future in diving the very best of luck!
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