ROV Pilot Technician Course

Transcription

1 ROV Pilot Technician Course This course has been developed, taking into consideration industry requirements, to introduce candidates to a wide range of concepts and practical applications that are involved in ROV operations. Candidates will experience a range of instructional learning experiences that are applicable to observation class and work class ROV operations. The course pays particular emphasis to safe management practices when operating electrical, hydraulic and fibre optic equipment as well as manual handling. Our three-week ROV Pilot Technician Course comprises a combination of classroom, workshop and industrial site activities. Candidates will experience live and dead electrical, hydraulic and fibre optic equipment. The assessment process used during this course will encompass all the activities candidates have participated in. Candidates will be invited to produce an evidence portfolio for submission for final accreditation and will also be required to submit a final course examination paper where accreditation is achieved. Week 1 - key outcomes of the course: Candidates will: Be invited to demonstrate safety awareness and realise the potential of risk, throughout the course; Create an operational activity plan with deliberation given to various other subsea activities. The candidates will also be required to conduct and contribute to a toolbox talk with consideration given to the requirements, and adhere to the parameters, set out in the risk assessments and permit to work; Considering a wide range of scenarios, candidates will familiarise themselves with the role of the trainee within the wider spectrum of a ROV team; Through illustration and tangible equipment, candidates will witness differing types of passive and active protection available to ROV operations, and through a group framework, are invited to explore the practical application of each type; Considering a wide range of scenarios, candidates will be provided with relevant material in order for them to identify and explore the potential risks and hazards when working on an ROV spread offshore; Appreciate safety measures / devices available when dealing with High Voltage and Low Voltage in ROV operations. This is a pre-requisite prior to the candidate s involvement with activities in close proximity to High Voltage and Low Voltage; Candidates will be provided with relevant material in order for them to identify and explore the applications for various types of ROVs including ancillary equipment, and the practicalities of using them; Prior to exposure, and considering theoretical and practical applications, candidates will demonstrate their own interpretation of the effects of buoyancy and drag on the ROV and its tether; Candidates will be invited to work together to perform wide variety of subsea flying tasks in a benign situation (The Underwater Centre onshore tank). All activities will be monitored and recorded; Considering a wide range of differing environments and scenarios, candidates will familiarise themselves with different types of Launch And Recovery Systems (LARS) referencing the practicalities and purpose of each option; Conduct a crane lift exercise; Candidates will perform pre and post dive checks as well as a function test on the vehicle.

2 Week 2 (Electronic/Electrical) - key outcomes of the course: Candidates will: Operate an A-frame or flatbed crane to launch and recover an observation class ROV housed in a cage; Work together to perform a wide variety of subsea flying tasks; Carry out a cable jointing exercise and then during week 3, perform an insulation test (post submergence) on their product. Giving consideration to safe working practices at all times, candidates will record their outcomes; Using typical real-world examples of onsite equipment, candidates will identify the main electrical and electronic components on observation class and work class ROVs. Candidates can then gain an appreciation for their function and purpose and how to utilise this information as a tool to fault-find; Further enhancing their knowledge of electronic components, candidates will explore the uses, functionality and data transmission of subsea equipment to include cameras, sonar, various sensors, positioning systems and the use of multiplexers; Utilising the work class ROV (dependent on operational availability), observation class ROVs and classroom examples, candidates will be introduced to the operating principles that relate to electrical and hydraulic propulsion; this will facilitate candidates to analyse, design and purpose; Work together to plan, document and perform a predetermined task using our work class ROV VMAX Triton XL simulator; The task will require the use of the five function Rigmaster and seven function T4 manipulators which will enhance the candidates dexterous skills. This exercise is to monitor the development of the candidates cognitive and communication skills as a pre-cursor to any work class ROV interaction; Using a variety of differing examples, candidates will be introduced to a wide range of seals and connectors used on an ROV spread. Candidates will be required to identify different types and, through group discussion, explore the application, purpose and maintenance of each type; Candidates will demonstrate and record their own interpretation of safety awareness when working with Fibre Optics; Utilising work class ROV, observation class ROV and other examples, candidates will be introduced to a range of methods of subsea communications linked to ROV systems (primarily focusing on electrical and fibre optic); Candidates will then consider the benefits and limitations of each type and explore a methodology as to how to implement this information as a tool for fault finding; Using a variety of differing examples, candidates can demonstrate their knowledge of fibre optic equipment by recording the purpose and function of each type. Week 3 (Hydraulic/Mechanical) - key outcomes of the course: Candidates will: Using synthesis and then analysis, candidates are required to appreciate the safety measures / devices available to each team member, prior to ROV operations, in relation to the energising of a hydraulic system; Demonstrate learning ability by identifying the individual hydraulic components on a work class ROV; To primarily develop an understanding of the workings of a hydraulic system on an ROV, candidates will identify individual ISO standard hydraulic components and record their results; Candidates can enhance and develop their understanding of the workings of an ROV hydraulic system by reporting the function of the individual components and the function of various hydraulic circuits; Candidates will be encouraged to develop previous hydraulic interaction by adopting a cooperative learning strategy to perform various practical hydraulic tasks, considering safe working practices at all times;

3 Candidates will be encouraged to adopt a cooperative learning strategy to resolve various hydraulic faults; Candidates will be able to demonstrate the knowledge gained to provide a logical approach to fault finding, recording their expected results before performing the practical exercise on the training industry standard Rexroth hydraulic work bench; Candidates will operate an A-frame or flatbed crane to launch and recover the observation class ROV; Candidates will be invited to work together to perform wide variety of subsea flying tasks. On completion of the course candidates will be able to use their experience to become an effective member of an ROV team. The exposure candidates will gain regarding safety will prepare them for a variety of roles in an onshore and offshore environment. Candidates, on completion of the course, will be at a level to start various industry competencies. The instructors will monitor the development of the student as an individual and how they perform within a group and as a group. Candidates will be given the opportunity of learning to adopt a strategy where they question their abilities and interaction and how they can develop and improve. The assessment process used during this course will encompass all the activities candidates have participated in. Candidates will be invited to produce an evidence portfolio for submission for final accreditation. Candidates will also be required to submit a final course examination paper where accreditation is achieved when candidates obtain a pass mark of 70% or greater. For course dates and prices, or to book, contact our Student Advisors or fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com

4 Unique Location, Facilities and Equipment The Underwater Centre s unique facilities mean that ROV trainees gain invaluable experience when learning about the different types of ROVs used in industry. They gain skills in ROV mobilisation, launch and flight from our private pier into the depths of the sea loch. Just like in industry conditions, students can have the opportunity to fly ROVs alongside commercial divers working on the sea bed. The range of equipment on the sea bed provides fantastic opportunities for inspection from the ROV s on-board camera, while the tidal flows, haloclines and varying visibility in the sheltered loch provide realistic training conditions. This, along with the facilities on the pier itself the dedicated ROV cabins, Launch And Recovery System (LARS) and dedicated mechanical and electronics workshops all add up to a first-rate ROV education at The Underwater Centre. We have four observation class ROVs and a work class ROV plus experienced personnel to operate them. Our private, 500m-long pier houses three ROV control cabins and a telescopic crane. A further crane is located on our vessel, Loch Sunart, which is used to launch and recover the Observation Class ROV which provides industry-like experience for candidates. Our vessel is also the base for our operational Work Class ROV, complete with TMS and LARS system. ROV Training Suite We also have a dedicated ROV Training Suite, that houses our OBSROV flight room to operate the ROV within our 1.5million litre indoor tank, a VMAX Triton XL work class ROV simulator and High Voltage training area. Additionally, our ROV training area incorporates Mechanical and Electrical workshops. Mechanical and Electrical Workshops The workshops, located within our onshore dive tank complex, are fully equipped with the latest fibre optic termination equipment. They also include work class ROVs, manipulator arms, test bench for subsea industry and other industry-relevant hydraulic integration and supporting equipment to further hone your skills. It is in our mechanical workshop, and adjoining classroom, that the Titan 4 (T4) manipulator training takes place. Work Class ROV The Underwater Centre is able to offer use of a full work class ROV system for training and allows candidates to practice operational techniques in a subsea environment more easily: 100HP Sub-Atlantic propulsion system; Depth rated to 3000m; Schilling Titan (T4) seven function manipulator arm; Schilling RigMaster manipulator; SIT (silicon-intensified target) camera along with two colour cameras; Tritech DFS SeaKing sonar; DVR video suite capable of one channel HD video or 4 channels simultaneous recording SD video; Perry Slingsby TMS with capacity for 100m of tether; Single mode fibre incorporated within armoured umbilical and tether. The work class ROV operates from a dedicated vessel, Loch Sunart, which also has available deck space. The Launch and Recovery System on board has a safe working load of 8 tonne and approximately 2200m of main lift umbilical.

5 Observation Class ROVs Our Seaeye Falcon Class IIA ROVs are used by ROV students to learn the intricacies of flying; they are ideal for observation tasks, including diver observations, inspection work and basic search and recovery, sonar mapping and site surveys. Equipment: 300m and 400m of tether; Single function manipulator with rope cutter; Sonavision Mercury frequency-agile sonar; Tritech Super SeaPrince DST sonar; Standard CCD camera. If you would like to take a closer look at our training centre, facilities and equipment in more detail, you can attend one of our Introduction to ROV Careers Days to learn more about The Underwater Centre and the training & career opportunities available to you. Contact our Student Advisors for more information about training courses or to book a place on an Introduction to ROV Careers Day by calling or fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com.

6 Careers as an ROV Pilot Technician ROV pilot technicians are employed around the world on a range of different classes of Remotely Operated Vehicles. These vary in size from 140 tonne sea bed ploughs to observation ROVs weighing only several kilograms. Salary and day rates vary and depend on a range of factors; competence, experience, supervisory level, the region you re working in, level of technical experience and qualifications. Some of the larger ROV companies employ personnel on a full-time basis, while other companies and agencies employ on a day rate. The role of an ROV Pilot Technician is varied and not just limited to working in one industry sector. ROV Pilot Techs are employed within sectors such as inshore, civils, renewables and decommissioning, to name just a few, who have the role of supporting operations, investigating pipe networks, waterways and other areas that can only be accessed by ROVs. Skills required as an ROV Pilot Technician Electronic, electrical, hydraulic or other mechanical engineering experience can lead to improved prospects of employment. Gaining employment as an ROV pilot technician often relies on more than just your technical expertise; you also need to be able to work well in a team, be a good communicator, be flexible and willing to put in hard work and support your fellow ROV team members. Often you will be working closely with a small group of people over a long period of time, in what can be quite intensive and pressurised situations, and so you will need to be able to work well with them. Certificates gained Once you've successfully completed your chosen course, you ll be presented with a certificate detailing your competence and the how your course conformed to legislation, as appropriate. If you choose either our three-week ROV Pilot Technician Course or Premium ROV Course, you will also be provided with a number of internationally-recognised Scottish Qualification Units. Career opportunities Once you complete the course you may be employed as a base technician with an ROV company or progress to an offshore role on a smaller, low cost vehicle. Alternatively you could gain employment as a junior member of an 8 person team working with a larger ROV, costing anything up to several millions of pounds. In recent years, The Underwater Centre has trained several ROV teams for companies such as Fugro, Technip, Subsea7, Sonsub, IFM Geomar, DCNS and the National Oceanographic Centre. Our students are employed by many of these contractors and others, including; Oceaneering, Impresub International, Sonsub, Fielax GmbH and Canyon; and in locations such as West Africa to China, South America to Norway and of course in Aberdeen for oil and gas companies in the North Sea.

7 DOF Subsea, a leading provider of subsea services to the oil and gas industry, has previously employed 4 students, out of a class of 8, directly from one of our courses, as Trainee ROV Pilot Technicians, operating across the Atlantic Region. We have also welcomed past-students to our training centre, who are working in the subsea industry, to continue their skills development. More information can be found on our blog. With government focus on developing renewable energy, there are additional career prospects for ROV pilot technicians; there are also opportunities within other industries, such as civil engineering, police investigations, marine science, salvage and archaeology. Roles in the industry start from junior ROV technicians up to offshore party chief. Progression to the latter position can take from four to five years. Each pilot carries an IMCA log book, supplied during your course, which is signed by each employer and training organisation, proving the individuals competence at any particular level. Progress from trainee ROV Pilot Technician to Pilot Technician II and I, and then to Senior Pilot Technician and Supervisor, is by assessment of that competence, and achievement of success on an employer s job specific training. If you ve any other queries regarding the career opportunities available to you as an ROV pilot technician and the training we provide, contact our student advisors; fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com or +44 (0)

8 Introduction to ROV Careers Considering a new career, such as that of an ROV pilot technician, can be daunting and you will undoubtedly have a great deal of questions which need answered. At The Underwater Centre we offer an Introduction to ROV Careers days, providing potential students with a tour of our extensive facilities, including our indoor dive complex and private pier. You ll be looked after by our ROV instructors who will provide detailed information aimed at helping you decide if a career as an ROV pilot technician is for you. It s the perfect opportunity to ask questions about the ROV industry in general, career prospects or any other questions that spring to mind whilst you re in Fort William. Visiting the Centre and seeing the facilities for yourself, as well as meeting our staff, can help to simplify the decision-making process. One of the best parts of the day is when you get to pilot a Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV into the tidal waters of Loch Linnhe, or in our massive onshore seawater tank; you ll also be given a tour of our ROV Electrical & Mechanical workshops, Work Class VMAX Simulator and classrooms. Depending on operational conditions taking place at the Centre, your ROV flight may be carried out in the same operational environment that you ll be training in; so you could perform wreck inspections or observation of closed bell divers, which is an experience that can t be gained at any other ROV school in the world. Alternatively, you may pilot the ROV in our onshore seawater tank, giving you the opportunity to watch the ROV mid-flight from the external viewing panels and gain an understanding of the intricacies of flying. You can also experience our fully-operational VMAX Simulator for work class ROV training scenarios. Each introductory day is limited to a maximum of 8 students. For many, embarking on a new career can be a difficult decision. Visiting the Centre and seeing the facilities for yourself, as well as meeting experienced ROV Pilot Technicians, can help to simplify that decision-making process. Pauric Kearney, who attended an introductory day and has completed the Premium ROV Course, thinks this of his time in Fort William: I would recommend the introductory day to anyone considering coming on course ROV or diving. It gives a real insight into the course, what to expect, the location, pier, staff and instructors. Then, when you come on course you feel right at home! The familiarisation day helps provide a real insight into the ROV Courses we offer and lets you know what to expect when you come on course, here in Fort William. Attendance on an Introduction to ROV Careers day costs 75, which is fully refundable when you book on a course. For dates and availability of the next introductory day, contact us on +44(0)

9 General Information Classes are full time, each week-day with full-board accommodation available at the Centre. You will find it a great benefit staying at the Centre as it provides the chance to work and study in the evening in our onsite lecture rooms, with fellow students. You should bring a pair of safety boots and foul weather gear with you, since some days will be spent outside getting dirty mobilising and launching the ROV. Fort William The Underwater Centre is located in Fort William, a town on the west coast of Scotland about two hours drive north of Glasgow or an hour and a half south west of Inverness. There are a number of ways to travel to Fort William: There are daily trains into Fort William from Glasgow, with a sleeper service direct from London Euston; Scottish CityLink and National Express operate a bus service from either Glasgow or Inverness; A number of low cost airlines fly into Glasgow and Inverness airports. The Underwater Centre is situated only a few minutes walk from Fort William town centre, which has a number of bars and restaurants, a bowling alley and leisure centre (with a swimming pool, gym, squash courts and climbing wall). Accommodation The Underwater Centre benefits from all its facilities being in the one location; lecture rooms, private pier, dedicated training cabins, workshops, accommodation facilities and restaurant are all within a few minutes walk of each other. Accommodation is available onsite; we have a number of en-suite rooms available on a twin or triple occupancy provided on a full board basis including cooked breakfast or continental breakfast, packed lunch and a choice from a selection of evening meals, provided by our dedicated catering staff, 7 days a week. The Centre also provides free broadband access or a free wireless connection within the building, however we are not able to support streamed media. Wi-Fi access is provided primarily to help you find work, send CVs, research job opportunities, etc. Student Support Our student advisors and instructors will provide help and support to you during your time at the Centre. The ROV Team Our instructors have their own experience in industry having spent a number of years working as ROV pilot technicians themselves. In addition to training individual ROV Pilot Technicians, we also provide training and experience to some of the world s leading ROV companies such as Fugro, Subsea 7, Technip and ROVOP.

10 Working Offshore Everyone looking to work offshore, including ROV pilot technicians, must hold a valid Offshore Survival certificate, and must also have an Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Offshore Medical. Those looking to work in the UK sector of the North Sea may also require the Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) course, to provide skills and training in reducing offshore hazards. Offshore Survival Course The Offshore Survival Course for UK waters is officially known as Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) and includes a range of skills which may be required when working offshore including safety, first aid, fire prevention, helicopter safety and survival at sea. There is a downloadable list of the approved establishments which provide offshore survival courses available from the links page of our website. The course usually takes up to three days to complete and costs around 750. The certificate is valid for 4 years with a refresher required before the expiry of the old certificate. The refresher usually only takes about a day to complete. Specific requirements can be found by searching Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training online. Other countries operate different requirements and it is worth ensuring you attend and pay for the relevant course, depending on where you are going to be working. If planning to work in colder areas e.g. North Sea, some international courses may not be suitable. OGUK Offshore Medical Only physicians registered and approved by OGUK can carry out offshore medicals. The medical is a requirement for working offshore in the UK offshore sector and North Sea. Requirements in other countries may vary. Examinations generally include the provision of a detailed medical history and your general lifestyle habits, along with the various tests. A physical exam will also be undertaken by the doctor along with any additional tests required based on your medical history. Prices vary depending on the practice, but are generally around 120. Your physician should be able to advise on Norwegian Medical requirements and the validity of an OGUK Offshore Medical for work in Norwegian waters. For full contact details of medical practitioners who are registered to undertake the examination, contact our student advisors on or visit our website. Global Wind Organisation For those technicians working on Global Wind Organisation (GWO) wind turbines will be expected to have a valid GWO BTT Certificate and will also be required to undertake a Renewables UK Wind Turbine Medical examination which usually cost approximately 200. Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) Certificate If you are platform based you may also require a MIST certificate; some companies ask for this regardless of where you will be based, in case plans change mid-contract. Most training providers that provide the BOSIET training mentioned earlier can also provide the MIST training; you can get a list of OPITO approved MIST training providers from the links page on our website. The MIST training costs around 400 and a refresher is required every 4 years.

11 Funding At The Underwater Centre we appreciate the financial commitment involved in retraining. We will therefore do what we can to provide advice and support to ensure you start your new career on the right foot. These are just some suggestions of options to consider for financing your studies: Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between 300 and 10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year s relevant unpaid practical work). The Young People s Learning Agency will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards. The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries. Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated. For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit or contact National Careers Service on Our learning provider registration number is: If you have been made redundant, some previous employees have been given financial assistance towards a retraining programme, for example, H.M. Armed Forces or some car manufacturers. Scottish Government funding for residents For a limited time only, the Scottish Government will pay half the cost of training courses to help support ROV personnel develop their subsea skills. Please contact us directly for eligibility criteria and more details. Standard Learning Credits Enhanced Learning Credits and Individual Resettlement Training Costs are all schemes run to help servicemen and women obtain grants through their unit towards training to support their personal development. Our learning provider registration number is: Self-employed You may choose to set yourself up as self-employed. For small business support, visit the corresponding site to where you live: England or call Ireland or call Scotland or call Wales or call Reclaim VAT from HMRC You may be able to reclaim VAT from the Inland Revenue if you are registered for business purposes, for example if you are self-employed. This applies to both European Community and non-european Community residents. The Underwater Centre holds the relevant paperwork to complete for requesting VAT back, which you are required to pay on courses taken in the United Kingdom. Learn Direct Scotland may be able to provide information on funding which is available to you. Call or visit Job Centre Plus If you have been unemployed for a certain amount of time, you may be eligible to receive funding towards training from the Department of Work and Pensions. Ask your local JobCentre Plus for more details. In some circumstances, grant assistance may be available for training from your Local Enterprise Company, details of which can be provided by our student advisors or through your local council website. If you have any queries regarding funding of your course, please contact one of our student advisors on or fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com.