ROV Pilot Technician

A remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, is a small submersible craft which performs various underwater tasks in support of the offshore oil and gas industry: scientific exploration, search and salvage, inspection of underwater equipment such as pipelines, surveying, non-destructive testing (NDT) and the defusing of mines. An ROV pilot controls the movement of the vehicle from a ship’s cabin or other indoor location on the surface.

The Work

You could be:

• launching and “flying” your vehicle by remote control from the surface of the water to depths of up to 165 metres (some ROVs can dive to 4000 metres)


• operating equipment such as cameras and interpreting data, some of it faint and difficult to make out, from video or sonar displays to calculate and keep track of the position of your vehicle


• navigating the ROV’s route, keeping it away from hazards such as moving parts of the ship


• operating robotic arms (if your vehicle has them), to perform simple tasks such as picking up items from the seabed


• judging the changing weather conditions and if necessary altering the dive programme at short notice to take account of it


• relaying information during the dive, verbally on to videocassette and computer


• regularly maintaining the ROV and its associated equipment and carrying out repairs on location


• carrying out technical tasks: for example, rigging and operating small boats and basic electronic and hydraulic construction


• writing technical reports and ordering spare parts by computer.

Conditions

• Shifts offshore can be up to 12 hours long. Onshore you might spend periods on call.


• When operating the ROV you are usually indoors, in the warm, clean environment of a marine laboratory or the control cabin of an offshore ROV ship or diver support vehicle.


• When repairing or maintaining the ROV, you work outdoors in all weathers on the deck of the ship.


• When working outdoors, you wear cold weather gear such as thermal boiler suits.


• There can be some heavy lifting.


• It can be wild and stormy at sea – you must not be prone to seasickness.

Getting In

There is no one single route into becoming a ROV pilot technician.

• The most usual route today would be to study for a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or degree in either mechanical or electrical or electronic engineering.


• The entry requirements for these courses vary. For HNC and HND courses you would need 1-3 Highers plus some Standard grades. Degree courses require 3-5 Highers. The subjects which colleges and universities ask for at Standard grade or Higher normally include English, maths and one or more from chemistry, physics or technological studies.


• Some enter by way of the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy or the RAF, after training in navigation, marine engineering or aircraft engineering.


• A background in either electronics or hydraulics is useful.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• analytical and problem solving skills


• an understanding of engineering ideas


• computer skills


• good number skills for counting up dive times and interpreting electronic data


• the ability to use tools


• respect for accuracy and fine detail


• good eyesight and colour vision


• responsible attitude to health and safety


• the ability to work either alone or in a team


• a clear voice and good verbal and written communication.

Training

• The Underwater Centre at Fort William offers a seven week training course at a cost of £8,921 excluding VAT (2009 price). Experienced electronic engineers can start at week 5.


• After the training you can get a job as a base technician with an ROV.


• There are further Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) available.

Getting On

• There is currently a shortage of ROV pilot technicians.


• After some experience as a base technician you can move on to an offshore role on a smaller ROV or become a junior member of an 8-person team working with a larger ROV.


• Eventually you could become an ROV supervisor or an operations manager, particularly if you have a relevant HND or degree.


• Estimates are that by 2011 there will be almost 6000 subsea wells in operation. As well as the vacancies in the Scottish sector of the North Sea, there are opportunities to work abroad – in Norway, the Middle East, Asia, South America, Africa, Australasia and China.

Pay

Some large ROV companies employ staff on a full-time basis, offering an annual salary. Others contract staff on a “day-rate” basis, paying separately for each job. The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• the demand for the job


• how many days you work.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.