Companies get around that by having a “drilling superintendent” who is the department head for the drilling side. They make the technical drilling decisions that the senior toolpusher can’t make.
then you have to fit the company man in there as well that hoepfully also had a drilling background.
3 pic’s on same boat…nice
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When things hit the fan it’s funny to hear the company man, the OIM etc says “Not my .fault, I was doing what I was told” Companies are smarter now since the Horizon. Avoid emails and video conference records I have been in conference calls while offshore on line with various offices and if any questionable decision was raised the comment was made, “It’s better you call so we can talk about this.” 
I upset a few when i emailed back to the office to confirm the telephone call…
Old trick to deal with conmen.
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It’s not that you make drilling decisions, that’s on the client. You just need to have the knowledge to interject when plans can result in a bad decision.
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we always had a very experienced company man ( with huge drilling experience) so it was clear it was all up to him.
I was not really involved as a DPO but when the non mariniers in the office asked for stupid sh1t, that created problems. Sometimes had to remind them we are floating at sea…
The next conundrum was the rig superintendent, a driller, sub sea eng or a mariner?
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Ooooo, I like that one… I may have to keep that one in my back pocket to use in the future.
Standard for most law firms. Send letter or email “this will confirm our phone conversation of…” Not responding can be interpreted as concurrence with the call summary.
I had a slimy rig asset manager who always replied to emails with a phone call instead of anything in writing. I was a fan of following up with an email “Per our discussion on this morning’s call, we will be moving forward with “x”…” It sucks that I had to do that, but it was during a downturn and if you didn’t CYA then those facing downsizing wouldn’t hesitate to hang you out to dry to save their own skin.
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yep, year 8-11 law sudies at secondary school…so glad I did that.
or just email someone else, then you have a recorded time stamped, judges love that stuff.
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I’m definitely going to keep that one for future use.
I’ve also had to deal with office types that respond to an email with a phone call to avoid putting in writing what they want you to do. It sucks that we need to deal with those kinds of people but always CYA.
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I do this even with mundane calls. It establishes a pattern of good communication as well as giving those involved a chance to make corrections. As CE, I also include the captain by CC so he’s in the loop.
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It also works for live, in-person conversations. Something else I have used on occasion is to insert an innocuous and unrelated question to prompt a response. For example, I have used something like “…After we met I noticed that I had misplaced my {item}. By any chance, did you find it?” The response “I didn’t find anything” is my evidence the email was received and read.
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Sneaky bastard. I like it!
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It’s like dealing with the mafia with some of these companies. If you don’t cover your ass you may become the scapegoat. Actually the mafia might be a little more straightforward.
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I don’t know about drillship companies but I know after dealing with Edison Chouest coordinators, I added automatic call recorder to my phone for years. Even if it’s illegal, it depends on your location and state and it gives you something to reference back too. It was easy to find with android. But now I use iPhone and I haven’t found an equivalent.
A lot of engineers don’t have to do night shift when they’re working on blue water ships, might only have to do short spells of it for port calls. Drilling can require long periods of night shift.
There can be a more disrespectful working environment with drilling, more bullying and name calling etc. than you get on blue water ships.
I think the people on all drilling rigs in the Norwegian sector work a 2 weeks on 4 weeks off working rotation, having a work rotation like that is a great way of recruiting and retaining people.
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Also in Norway all engineers ticketed, the USA invented rig mechanic for semi’s what does that mean?
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The mechanics with on deck machinery drilling peripherals whereas the licensed engineers work on the marine systems.