Back Surgery And Working Offshore...Advice?

Professional Mariner Forum
1

I am currently trying to find a job offshore as a 3rd mate or DPO Trainee on either an osv, drilling rig, or construction vessel. I have been having some concerns about spinal fusion surgery (l4/l5) I had in 2008. I have had 2 surgeries (one in 2007 one in 2008), one to fix it and another to take out the screws (would think the fact that I had the screws out is a good thing). I am in my mid 20’s, I am very active, I snowboard, mountain bike, water ski, you name it. I workout, I can lift heavy objects from the ground up, and have a strong core. I have been cleared by my surgeon with no limitations, and have been completely issue and pain free since recovering from the last surgery. I have passed all of my USCG physicals, and had no problems at school or with commercial shipping (which was offshore, but had no physical).

Recently I was offered a job at tidewater. I went down, passed the physical, but they requested my medical records from the surgery. After about a month, and having another doctor look at the MRI that they took in LA, they turned me down. They said that I was passed, and cleared for the job, however with limitations. They said that the doctor told them I was limited to lifting 45 lbs. Since they have fire extinguishers that weigh 50 lbs, they said I would be unable to lift them, and therefore couldn’t work on their boats. I told them that I have passed many firefighting courses, and that my suitcase weighs 50 lbs, however that didn’t seem to matter at all. I understand that companies do this due to insurance purposes, and to avoid future law suits, however if it is a completely fixed condition I would think that it could be dealt with.

I have several companies that are interested in me, and want to have me down, and I was just wondering if I have a chance with any of them, or if all their doctors will put a nonsense restriction on me and therefore say that they cant have me working on the ship.

I am very motivated, and would do anything to prove that I can do the job as good if not better than any other 3rd mate that has never had back surgery.

Just wanted to know if anyone has any experience with this, or has any advice. It is tough to know what to do in this situation (knowing that you are perfectly capable and qualified for the job, but you might be turned down because of something that happened out of your control many years ago).

Also, does anyone know how Noble drilling’s physical and medical check is, and if I have a chance at passing it? Or McDermott, Seadrill, Atwood (these are the companies that are interested in me), or any other offshore companies?

I know there has been posts on this in the past, however they didn’t go into much detail.

Thank you in advance to any responders, I really appreciate your input.

2

Noble policy says something about not lifting more than 45 lbs by yourself, but then again the last day of then physical you go onto this medieval torture device back strength machine. No joke everyone talks about that machine. Basically bending forward/back, side/side, and twisting as hard and as fast as you can until the person is satisfied. Everyone hurts after that thing.

3

The Tidewater back requirements are off the chain. Their Doctor (Dr. Cenac) that oversees the MRIs wants the backs 18 year old athletes only. I guarantee that if every person worked there had to pass the MRI through him they would have to shut down 95% of their fleet. I was offered an international job there and passed the physical fine then was sent for and MRI which they said was abnormal. After it was explained that my back did not meet their physical requirements I requested a copy of the MRI. Once I received it I took the imaging results to an orthopedic specialist and had him review it. He said he had no idea why they would fail me and also had other doctors in the office concur. He said my back was completely normal for my age and asked if I needed a letter from them to clear me.

After the dust settled here I went to another company that also had an MRI as part of their physical and passed it. When you get your new job send Dr. Cenac a picture of that kid with his middle finger fully extended or the GIF of Bart Simpson pulling his pants down and shaking his ass.

4

capitan1962, I’m glad you posted this, here I am thinking that I was one of a select few who were turned down by Tidewater because of an “abnormal” MRI. All I can say is that the standards absolutely must be ridiculous. My family and friends were astonished when they heard the news of not making the cut due to the MRI. Good to know that there is some hope for an offshore career after all.

5

They have a doctor that likes to make money is all that is. I went to a medical center that specialized in orthopedic surgery and had about 7 orthopedic doctors/surgeons there. 3 of them looked at the MRI and they all agreed that my back was fine. They basically told me that if I needed to lift anything heavy to keep it tight and also said a 10% weight loss would help but that is a common problem offshore. So these three specialists were all in agreement but Dr. Boudreaux on the bayou says no. I know of another case the same way, this guy is early 30’s, not overweight at all, very agile and never has had any back problems in his life. You will be fine just look for a real company. Blood pressure, diabetes, and BMI are the three things that kill most pre-employment physicals.

6

Thank you all for your responses. It is unfortunate that Dr Cenac fails so many people, but it it good to know that it isn’t just me.

So you think I should be good with Noble? I can pass the physical I’m sure, but not so sure about their MRI.

Does anyone have more information about the back test that noble does, or know of anyone failing for a past surgery? Or know the name of the machine? I have heard that for the machine you do it once at 100% and then the second time you have to reach a certain percentage of your first go at it. I was told that if you just don’t go 100%, say only give 80% your first time, and then give 100% the second time you will pass easily. Anyone know if this is true?

Also, any information about other offshore physicals and medical tests would be appreciated, I think it would help myself and other people if they knew what they will be facing before they fly down there.

7

Thank you all for your input.

It is unfortunate that Dr. Cenac has failed so many people, however, it is also good to know that it is not just me.

So you think with my back condition i should be ok with Noble?

Does anyone know more about the noble back machine from hell? Maybe the name of the machine? Also i was told that you do it 2 times, once at 100% and then again, and you have to reach a certain percentage of your first go the second time. I also heard that if you only go 80% your first time then you will pass it easily. Any truth to this? Are there any other exercises to prepare for?

Also, if anyone has more information about any other company physicals, I think that would help people to know what they will be facing.

Thanks again.

8

Your going to run into this situation at all the large operators in the offshore industry. This is a strategy to limit liability. My advice is to keep your records, be forthcoming, provide any information they may want regarding your previous surgeries, and hope for the best. Don’t be discouraged, don’t take it personal.

9

You should send tidewater a thank you card

10

Oh lord.

I was going to rant, but this is an edit.

It’s your back, vs. your income. Unfortunately, you have to make a choice, sooner or later. Be mindful of the regs regarding worker’s comp, disability, USCG, and all that. If you minimize or conceal disability, and then go willingly into a job where your full physical capabilities will be needed, then you will find yourself in a bind. That’s the way it goes. I would never recommend that someone lie about their ability to perform a job. It will only bite you later on. I am not suggesting that you are doing such a thing but I know first hand how easy it is to gloss over or minimize a problem…because we all want to feel like “we can do it” with no impediments. And sometimes, we just can’t!

If you can demonstrate that your prior surgeries are not an impediment to what you want to do, that’s different but realize that the employer sets the bar. The employer sets the standard for their company. They do not have to lower that hurdle for you. You. on the other hand, are free to seek work elsewhere and that is what they will tell you to do. That is one reason why women are not Navy SEALS (in spite of that idiotic movie). I am female but I am pretty strong for my age and gender otherwise? My job would be a real m-effer.

Think on this. This is your health. Your health is literally, your wealth.

If you still want to get out here, there are other ways to go but it should never, ever be at the cost of your health.

Peace! Cat

11

[QUOTE=catherder;122326]Oh lord…this again?
…offer as little information as possible…
[/QUOTE]
I too was wondering about why he volunteered the information, but from the comments on this thread it sounds like they make you take an MRI as part of the physical. That seems kind of extreme. You can have all kinds of funky things showing up on an MRI that don’t affect your physical abilities.

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[QUOTE=MariaW;122327]I too was wondering about why he volunteered the information, but from the comments on this thread it sounds like they make you take an MRI as part of the physical. That seems kind of extreme. You can have all kinds of funky things showing up on an MRI that don’t affect your physical abilities.[/QUOTE]

He can try his luck at other places, including the government (whenever the HELL we get back to work), but given his history (two surgeries?) an MRI is not out of line. frankly.

If anything, an MRI would serve as a baseline.

If I had two back surgeries in my twenties, I would not be looking to go out to sea, but that’s just me.

13

I had a successful double diskectomy about 8 years ago. The Coast Guard requiees me to carry a waiver with my license and I usually have to provide a company with a current letter from my doc saying I have no symptoms and am good to go.

Seems bizarre to me since the surgery fixed a problem and removed a fairly significant disability rather than causing one.

14

[QUOTE=capitan1962;122241] I was offered an international job there and passed the physical fine then was sent for and MRI which they said was abnormal. After it was explained that my back did not meet their physical requirements I requested a copy of the MRI. Once I received it I took the imaging results to an orthopedic specialist and had him review it. He said he had no idea why they would fail me and also had other doctors in the office concur. He said my back was completely normal for my age and asked if I needed a letter from them to clear me.

[/QUOTE]

A significant number of people have “herniated” disks and don’t realize it because they have had no back problems and therefore no previous need for MRIs. (Disk herniations are apparently quite common) Would such a finding on a required pre-employment MRI mean they won’t hire you?

15

Hey sorry if i pissed off anyone the other night. I am furloughed and very grouchy but don’t need to take that out on anyone here. OP if you and your doc agree that you are healthy and can do the job, go for it. Like with anything else, keep good records.

Best of luck.

16

What is the BMI cutoff for most companies? Do they stick with the CG number of 40?

17

I would think at most of the major osv companies their doctors would fail /hassle you because of a high(40+) bmi.

18

I know the CG flags above 40 which IMO is very heavy, but since you mentioned it in a previous post thought if ask to see if there was a magic number to be under.

19

Now that a bmi over 40 makes you unfit, at what age will they be deciding you are to old? 70? 60? 40? Regulations are being concocted that have little bearing on our fitness for duty. Health can be an issue but there are many more common root causes to the marine accidents that happen.most of those causes can be prevented. I believe the large majority of accidents can be attributed to the companies, the government, and the uscg. The individual mariner is the least common of the factors when determining cause.

20

[QUOTE=cajuntugster;122560]Now that a bmi over 40 makes you unfit, at what age will they be deciding you are to old? 70? 60? 40? Regulations are being concocted that have little bearing on our fitness for duty. Health can be an issue but there are many more common root causes to the marine accidents that happen.most of those causes can be prevented. I believe the large majority of accidents can be attributed to the companies, the government, and the uscg. The individual mariner is the least common of the factors when determining cause.[/QUOTE]

BMI over 40 does not “make you unfit” for a Coast Guard MMC. The requirement is not to have a BMI under 40, it’s to be able to perform certain physical activities that are relevant to serving as a mariner. This requirement applies for everyone. However, if your BMI is UNDER 40, you are presumed to be able to meet the demonstrations of physical ability, and they do not need to be conducted by the doctor. If your BMI is 40 or above, the presumption does not apply and the doctor has to certify that you are able to perform the demonstrations. An alternatiove might be to not make any presumptions based on BMI, asnd require that doctors evelautae everyone for the physical abilities.