This thread demonstrates the problem with the OIM role in the drilling industry. As far as I know the USCG is the only agency that requires the Master to fulfill the role of OIM and that only applies to US flagged MODU’s. So that really only affects the GSF Explorer… Correct me if I’m wrong on that. From there the companies are left to decide and within those organizations individual managers get to say how it’s going to work on their rig. Some get it right and some screw it up to the point we get the animosity demonstrated here.
I have the luxury of a rig manager that understands my role as not being the Sr. Drilling guy on board. I’m expected to know what’s happening on the rig floor, in the engine room and on the bridge but, as Capt Phoenix points out, the Sr. Tool pusher is the department head for drilling. I have a Chief Engineer to advise me on the power plant and rig equipment and a Captain to advise me on marine matters. The Captain retains his overriding authority for emergencies. A well control incident is still an emergency and the Captain is in charge of emergency management while the drill crew and I work with the Customer on a solution and provide him what’s needed to make an informed decision on abandonment. Quite simply, a modern DP drillship has too much going on with multiple well centers, 200+ POB, 2 or 3 engine rooms, and endless regulatory burden for one man to do it all. The team concept is necessary to be successful in my opinion and, lacking regulatory guidance and back-up, we need to rely on communication and professionalism to avoid the events of 2 years ago this week.
If you’re put in a position where you’re being used for your paperwork and have no support you have to walk away like you would if you were put on an unseaworthy vessel with no management support to fix it.