Offshore is not deep sea shipping with a different schedule. The vessels are different, the operational environment is different and the adjustment for people moving from cargo ships is larger than most anticipate.
The Vessels
Platform Supply Vessels carry deck cargo and bulk liquids to drilling rigs and production platforms. The deck carries containerised equipment and loose cargo. Below deck are tanks for fuel, potable water, drilling fluids and brine.
Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels combine the supply function with the ability to handle anchor systems for drilling rigs. When a rig relocates, AHTS vessels recover the anchors, tow the rig to the new location and reset the anchor pattern. Demanding physical and technical work.
Smaller specialist vessels handle crew transfer, ROV operations, dive support and seismic survey work. The offshore sector is wider than just supply vessels.
Dynamic Positioning
DP is central to offshore operations. The vessel maintains position near an installation without anchoring using GPS, acoustic positioning and thrusters. Officers on offshore vessels operate DP systems routinely.
The Nautical Institute DP certificate is the primary qualification for building an offshore career. Getting it takes one to two years because of the sea time requirements. Starting the process before approaching offshore operators is worth doing.
The Schedule
Two weeks on, two weeks off in the North Sea. Four weeks on, four weeks off in other regions.
Being home every two weeks changes the offshore career proposition for anyone with family commitments. No six-month contracts. No missing family events because you are months into a voyage.
The trade-off is that offshore operations run continuously. The vessel is either working or on standby. Less of the steady sea passage routine that gives cargo ship crews predictable downtime.
Pay
North Sea offshore is the highest-paying offshore market globally. Monthly rates at senior officer level exceed equivalent cargo ship rates by $2,000 to $5,000 at most ranks. The DP certificate and BOSIET are the investments that unlock this market.