Thank-you captain
[B]If I apply for a position aboard a cargo vessel, which is the newest?. I have seen the Andrea in the Gulf. She looks well kept. How is the Captain, Cook, and mates. Are there any openings?[/B]
If you think you are going to just walk into the Chouest office and expect to get hired onto their newest vessel in Gulf you probably won’t pass the drug test because your high. You either have to be a Bayou Boy or the luckiest guy I know for that to happen.
I could and I am not from the bayou.
[QUOTE=NeedleGunNazi;87044]If you think you are going to just walk into the Chouest office and expect to get hired onto their newest vessel in Gulf you probably won’t pass the drug test because your high. You either have to be a Bayou Boy or the luckiest guy I know for that to happen.[/QUOTE]
If they are in the process of manning a new boat you will get on it. but everything we have is new and well kept.
Not everything is new. Ever seen the stuff that works the LOOP field?
[QUOTE=NeedleGunNazi;87044]If you think you are going to just walk into the Chouest office and expect to get hired onto their newest vessel in Gulf you probably won’t pass the drug test because your high. You either have to be a Bayou Boy or the luckiest guy I know for that to happen.[/QUOTE]
I went from AB to Master on 260 in less than 3 years. I could have gone to a new boat (not as Master) but chose to work overseas.
BTW, I am not from the Bayou.
[QUOTE=Jemplayer;87068]Not everything is new. Ever seen the stuff that works the LOOP field?[/QUOTE]
That’s why they use a time machine for crew change instead a crew boat or a helo.
[QUOTE=Jemplayer;87068]Not everything is new. Ever seen the stuff that works the LOOP field?[/QUOTE]
Boy does that bring back some memories. When I started at Chouest I had my 100 ton license. I thought I was going to one of their nice new crewboats…Instead I went on the Ella G (the old Ella G). It was an old utility vessel that was working as a chase boat for PGS. I had some good times on that old girl. About 6-8 months into it I got to one of the crewboats. There are lots of opportunities at ECO for those who want to succeed. I have been gone over four years and miss that company all the time.
[QUOTE=Jemplayer;87068]Not everything is new. Ever seen the stuff that works the LOOP field?[/QUOTE]
Considering the Lifter, Line, & Loader are 30+ years old…they look good. The Responder is 20 years old it looks good as well. All I can say is they look a lot better since you were there.
[QUOTE=anchorman;63067]I moved up the ranks from Deck Hand all the way to Unlimited Master at Chouest. I was not from the Bayou. That is a false claim. Hard work pays off - period. That is the name of the WORK game. I worked hard and got to where I am simply by doing my job ( nothing else) and I just thank Chouest for facilitating my career that allowed me to do what I did, and became Master of the company flagship, SSCV Island Enforcer, after 15 years of service. Gary Chouest did not come to me offering a job, I asked for one, as most employees do. Chouest is a top rate company with very high standards and if you are not part of that standard, you will have issues. I have been gone for 6 months ( a month before the raise, and may have been part of the reason), now…continuing my career on a new build drill ship. With me, it was the next logical step after 20 years of working a majority on the water. I still like Chouest, but realized that I can be at home more and get a raise with a drilling company, better benefits, etc… Nothing wrong with Chouest, but the business model of boat companies are in stark contrast of what corporate drilling companies offer at the present time, and my Master ticket, backed with experience is worth $1000-$1500 / day minimum in the drilling sector. That just ain’t going to happen at a boat…doing $200,000/year + for 182days away from home.
Anyone can do exactly what I did by doing their job, period.[/QUOTE]
Getting lucky helps as well. Not everyone makes the jump like you did, and there are really only one or two drilling companies that will allow the jump that you made possible.
[QUOTE=PDCMATE;87212]Getting lucky helps as well. Not everyone makes the jump like you did, and there are really only one or two drilling companies that will allow the jump that you made possible.[/QUOTE]
That is very true. There are many, many more who have not been as lucky with the same qualifications as Lee. There are maritime grads working as ABs on drilling rigs with the hope of moving up. Would a OSV master with an unlimited ticket make the same sacrifice? I doubt it but personally I think the drilling companies are missing out by not hiring some of the qualified OSV people in a mate or AE position. They have their reasons but I think they should reconsider.
tengineer
[QUOTE=PDCMATE;87212]Getting lucky helps as well. Not everyone makes the jump like you did, and there are really only one or two drilling companies that will allow the jump that you made possible.[/QUOTE]
You don’t get lucky without work & determination my friend. I don’t agree with that, as far as one or two companies. Lee use to make fun of me getting all these great offers, but not taking any. I had my criteria, and waited for it. Timing is everything though, more than anything else, as far as getting in the door with any company, especially a drilling company. That post was over 8 months old.
[QUOTE=anchorman;87233]You don’t get lucky without work & determination my friend. I don’t agree with that, as far as one or two companies. Lee use to make fun of me getting all these great offers, but not taking any. I had my criteria, and waited for it. Timing is everything though, more than anything else, as far as getting in the door with any company, especially a drilling company. That post was over 8 months old.[/QUOTE]
I am sure a lot of the OSV guys would like to know the companies that will take people in at certain positions. Besides Pacific and Noble, I have not heard of many OSV guys going into Chief Mate or Master Positions in Drilling right away. Now, I have many friends at different drilling contractors in the offices and I know how they approach the resumes of OSV guys and where they get placed, so I am not saying anything wrong here. I do believe in timing and luck and some people have it.
I haven’t been gone that long that they any of them have needed a complete refit. All the boats have always been well taken care of. The biggest gripes being the mains on the small boats are just plain wore out. Time to replace those Detroit with something else and the AC’s drains always getting clogged.
Best part was that crew change was always on time and being able to get in one of the lazy boys for the ride was nice.
I haven’t been gone that long that they any of them have needed a complete refit. All the boats have always been well taken care of. The biggest gripes being the mains on the small boats are just plain wore out. Time to replace those Detroit with something else and the AC’s drains always getting clogged.
Best part was that crew change was always on time and being able to get in one of the lazy boys for the ride was nice.
[QUOTE=tengineer;87228]That is very true. There are many, many more who have not been as lucky with the same qualifications as Lee. There are maritime grads working as ABs on drilling rigs with the hope of moving up. Would a OSV master with an unlimited ticket make the same sacrifice? I doubt it but personally I think the drilling companies are missing out by not hiring some of the qualified OSV people in a mate or AE position. They have their reasons but I think they should reconsider.
tengineer[/QUOTE]
He wasn’t even talking about me tengineer. It is not uncommon for an academy graduate to work as an AB to get their foot in the door somewhere nor is it uncommon for a limited license guy to do the same. Your statement has no merit. Why would an OSV guy with 8 years of DP experience start out as an AB on a drilling rig? It is all about taking advantage of opportunities. Once you get the opportunity it is yours to take full advantage of or to screw up. That is up to the individual. I will admit that I was very fortunate getting on with a good company right out of the gate, but once I got there I read every manual and asked every question. I became proficient at all aspects of my job and learned the job above me. Isn’t that how it works? I have seen several guys that have received the same opporunity as me, only to throw it away. I have also seen guys that would do well, not even given the chance. I will not even approach the subject of HR. Next time you drop my name, make sure you know what you are talking about, the post you quoted was not referring to me.
[QUOTE=PDCMATE;87212]Getting lucky helps as well. Not everyone makes the jump like you did, and there are really only one or two drilling companies that will allow the jump that you made possible.[/QUOTE]
Would you agree there are different roads to the same destination? The man who started Seadrill was a welder. He probably just got lucky.
[QUOTE=PDCMATE;87253]I am sure a lot of the OSV guys would like to know the companies that will take people in at certain positions. Besides Pacific and Noble, I have not heard of many OSV guys going into Chief Mate or Master Positions in Drilling right away. Now, I have many friends at different drilling contractors in the offices and I know how they approach the resumes of OSV guys and where they get placed, so I am not saying anything wrong here. I do believe in timing and luck and some people have it.[/QUOTE]
Depends on the person’s resume; you are right about that. An OSV can mean a 120’ utility boat, or an OSV can be a 400’ DP-3 construction or well intervention vessel. Obviously, this will be looked at differently between companies, but I have found good feedback from most all drilling contractors with command experience on high-spec vessels - straight into the C/M position - most in-fact. Only Seadrill and Noble hired Masters with no drilling experience that I’m aware of. The Seadrill guy was on your old rig.
[QUOTE=Jemplayer;87261]Best part was that crew change was always on time and being able to get in one of the lazy boys for the ride was nice.[/QUOTE]
The Master on the Lifter always makes sure he leaves late Monday night for that crew change Monday morning.