Pros & Cons of working in the Offshore industry

There is no perfect job, as everyone who held one knows, but every one of them has its own quirks. However, the pros & cons of working in the offshore industry are significantly different compared to other industries. For instance, while the salary for the majority of positions in the industry is great, the hours are long, and extensive travel is often required…

If you do not mind physically demanding work, and the slight overhang of danger, few industries in the world offer the kind of salary and opportunities for improvements.

Pro: Trip opportunities

If traveling to different countries is your dream, then the offshore industry is perfect for you.

Once you’re trained and experienced enough, the world is your oyster. You’ll have the option to travel anywhere you wish to. If you’re working offshore, there are various locations you could work too.

Con: Working Hours

Because the work is never-ending, the majority of workers are required to work 12-hours shifts, seven days a week, for seven to 28 days at a time. Additional overtime is required on an emergency or project basis. It is not uncommon to work upwards of 80 hours per week.

Pro: Extended Leave

The work schedule in the offshore industry is rotational, with the duration of rotations varying from seven to 28 days. For instance, persons working on a 7/7 rotation have seven days off for every seven days they work, while a 14/ 14 or 28/28 rotation yields 14 to 28 days off, for every 14 to 28 days on. Many workers choose to work only a portion of the year when the season is fully open. After all, if you’ve made sixty-grand in six months, you’ve more than earned that vacation to Hawaii!

Con: Extended Time Away From Home

If you cannot handle being away from home for 28 days at a time, or if you have family members that depend on your presence in the home on a daily basis, then work in the offshore industry is not for you. That said, you could always work on a land-based rig, or as part of a seismic exploration team. The pay for land-based positions isn’t quite as high as for offshore positions, however, you will be able to go home at the end of the day, in the majority of cases.

Pro: Great tech

The industry uses the most up-to-date technology to get top results. You’ll always be learning new methods of technology and how to utilize them in the best possible way. By developing your knowledge as you work in the sector, you’re constantly adding new strings to your bow.

Con: Danger Factor

As you’ve probably already guessed, the work in the offshore industry can be dangerous—hence all the safety training. Not only is the work physically demanding, leading to injuries such as sprains, muscle pains, and severe fatigue; additional injuries result from falls, burns, chemical exposure, or machinery malfunctions.

Pro: Health Insurance

On the flip side of the danger factor, few industries in the world offer better health insurance than the offshore industry. After all, in order for production to continue, workers must maintain the degree of physical health required to execute their job functions. While the details of insurance plans vary, the majority of plans include vision, dental, and personal injury coverage.

Pro: Excellent Opportunities for Advancement

For a truly motivated individual in good physical condition, the opportunities for advancement in the offshore industry can be limitless. Many workers begin at the bottom of entry positions, only to work their way up to more technical or managerial positions. The key to advancement is an eagerness to learn, and the ability to apply learned techniques and skills on a daily basis.

Pro/Con: The Great Outdoors

Come rain, shine, sleet, or lighting, offshore installations operate 24 hours a day, in all weather conditions. If you like working outdoors, and you do not mind getting caught in a thunderstorm, this could be the job for you. Conversely, if you burn in the sun and melt in the rain, you might want to consider another line of work or another sector.

Conclusion

As you can see from the list above, the pros of working in the offshore industry outweigh the cons, provided you are physically fit, mentally acute, and eager to learn.

Author: Tautvydas Daugėla