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What attracted you to the ROV industry?
Mainly the variety of work. ROV work is not boring, as every day is different. I was able to travel the world previously with the Royal Air Force (RAF), so that was not important, but being in an interesting job was very important to me. As I said, a job where every day is different.
What work experience have you gained since joining the industry?
Plenty, really! I was able to build on the good experience which I gained in the RAF with what I've learned offshore. I would compare an ROV to a plane without wings in its complexity. I've really enjoyed working on wreck surveys - very interesting!
What was your first role when you started in the industry?
Trainee ROV pilot with Oceaneering. I worked on a drill support job on the Sedco 700 in West Africa. It was hard work, due to the fast-paced drilling programme, which included a full tooling suite.
What is your role now?
Supervisor/superintendent. My latest job was in the southern North Sea doing inspection with a Mohican vehicle for Oceanteam 2000 off the Fennica. It was a very busy and hard job working in strong tides.
What do you like most about working offshore?
Each day is different - no two days are the same and you will see something new on the seabed every day. It's a constant challenge to keep the ROV operational in tough elements.
Would you recommend the ROV industry to others?
Yes I do, constantly, but some people I speak to seem scared to go offshore. There are still memories of Piper Alpha. I've been offshore since 1996 and tell them to get out there and try it!
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
Travelling around the world - seeing different places, working on different ships and meeting different people. The money is great, but there are so many other rewards too!
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