- UK - HUET Southampton; Warsash ( BOSIET, HUET, FOET plus "All European" ); HOTA - OPITO ( BOSIET, HUET, FOET ) plus European modules; South Tyneside ( BOSIET, FOET ); BOSIET, HUET, FOET, and Paneuropean offshore safety courses; Blackpool BOSIET, FOET
- USA ( BOSIET, HUET ), LA, by Petrofac [ USCG, OLF, OPITO ]
- List of UK Offshore Training Courses.
- World wide list of Internet addresses to BOSIET training centres' websites.
- List of Recommended Schools and Courses giving Safety and Emergency Preparedness Training - approved by OLF.
- List of Shell Oil approved BOSIET / HUET training centres in UK.
The cost for the Shell Oil survival course was in July 2008 at UK £ 545 + VAT. I have seen other prices listed by other course providers - up to UK £ 800 for the same course / certificate.
Special for Gulf of Mexico
On May 27 2010 Interior Secretary Ken Salazar ( USA ) submitted a safety report about Gulf of Mexico to President Obama. The report recommends more safety rules and more safety training programs ( certificates ) for the rig workers. May be we can expect to see the first courses emerging at the very end of this year.
For installations in American waters of the Gulf of Mexico there is special documentation already implemented or still being implemented. In January 2009 both documents were required from an European ROV pilot applying for a job in the Gulf of Mexico. These two certificates are:
- "SafeGulf" Card, and
- TWIC - Transport Worker's Identification Credentials ( biometric ID card ).
SafeGulf Card
The
SafeGulf Card has been a requirement for contractors / sub-contractors going offshore since May 1, 2006. The training provides a minimum knowledge for contractor's personnel going out to the facilities [ i.e. hazards and safety concerns ]. The training is similar to the UK Offshore greenhand course. For additional detailed information go to
SafeGulf - FAQ 
.
There are only three organizations allowed to accredit training providers ( February 2009 ) for SafeGulf or SafeGulf equivalent programs, one of which is
IADC. IADC is also the organization overseeing the issue of
SafeGulf Pass ( card )
. List of
accredited SafeGulf training providers / training centres.
TWIC card
The
TWIC card is a biometric ID card - with an electronic chip containing the individuals fingerprints. It is / will be required for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure or restricted areas of
MTSA regulated facilities and vessels and all US seafarers / mariners holding
USCG issued documents / licenses. Except for US seafarers it concerns also port workers / employees, long shore workers ( stevedores ), certain truck drivers, and some other personnel.
Non-US flagged vessels do not have secure areas as defined by MTSA and therefore the crew on these vessels would not require TWIC. If such a vessel would be taken to a "secure / restricted area", however, the crew wouldn't be able to go ashore unescorted - except if the requirement could be waived because of an "emergency situation". For cruise ships with "passenger access" a TWIC is not required.
Workers / employees who require unescorted access to secure areas and
all US seafarers must enrol for a TWIC
no later than April 14, 2009. The implementation started in October 2008 in some northern "Captain of the Port" zones / districts and should be completed on April 14, 2009 - Houston / Galveston being among the last ones.
A TWIC is issued only to US citizens and certain foreign permanent residents who have legal work permit in US and certain Canadian and Mexican truck drivers who are allowed to transport hazardous materials inside US borders. To be eligible a person may not have been convicted of certain crimes, such as treason or terrorism against USA, or "lacking mental capacity". For additional detailed information see
TWIC - FAQ.
Offshore Technical Skills Training Centres and Schools
Certificate requirements can vary by job location according to local requirements and regulations. Specific requirements to be found in
each vacant job specification and employer's procedures and guidelines. It's therefore necessary to
apply only for specific vacancies and exactly specify your certificates.
I quote an e-mail received: "
every piece of paper helps. there are so many people out there looking for jobs. even the experienced guys will not get a look in if they are requiring a specific ticket and don't have ticket. the ticket will get you on the job... it's all an insurance thing."
To work as a Motorhand, Derrickhand, or Driller in (Alberta) Canada
you must either be registered as a Rig Tech Apprentice or Hold a Rig Tech Journeyman Certificate.
Rig Tech Apprenticeship information.
- List of UK marine / offshore skills training courses with costs and starting dates.
- Get Falck Onsite training calendar 2010 (1.5 MB) .
- List of mainly USA schools providing offshore training courses - some non-US schools are included in the list.
- Three day trainee sand blaster / painter course approved by OPITO at Aberdeen Skills Centre. Total cost GBP ( UK £ ) 775 + VAT. New course every month ( 2009 ). The course is suitable to be undertaken by individuals intending to move into offshore maintenance work. It provides applicants / inexperienced employees with a new "stepping stone" into the offshore oil & gas industry.
- Petrofac Aberdeen has been approved by OPITO to deliver the new two day Minimum Industry Safety Training ( MIST ) course. It's expected that before end of 2009, all new entrants to the industry in UK will be required to undergo MIST training before working offshore. If you don't have a trade and no work experience from before you need to take the Greenhand course instead. Additional information from OPITO about the Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST).
- OPITO ( UK ) has launched their "Modern Apprenticeship" Offshore Oil & Gas Industry Technician Scheme covering:
- Process Operations,
- Electrical Maintenance,
- Mechanical Maintenance, and
- Instrument and Control Maintenance.
It's a 4 year training programme open to persons over 16 years old. Specific entry requirements on training scheme webpage.
- Director General Shipping ( DGS ) of India has approved an Oil Rig Familiarization course together with the 4 basic mandatory STCW-95 courses ( total 16 days ). Enquire by e-mail.
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