A Day in the life of an ROV Pilot
Remotely operated vehicles or ROVs play an important role across multiple sectors that deal with subsea environments.
In marine science, researchers study the ecosystems in the Arctic using ROVs, gathering data that could help scientists better understand climate change and rising sea temperatures. ROVs are on the frontline in exploring historic wrecks such as the Titanic and in the search for Amelia Earhart’s plane.
The world of offshore energy depends on these underwater robots, from constructing and maintaining facilities to cleaning oil spills. This reliance is evidenced by the ROV market size’s expected growth exceeding $330 (£267.98) million by 2025.
With the highly sophisticated technologies that allow ROVs to perform a wide variety of tasks under immense conditions that would be lethal for humans, the people who actually have to remotely operate these complex machines face a unique amount of pressure.
In this article, we will be taking a close look at what an ROV pilot generally goes through in their day.
General Duties of an ROV Pilot
The primary duty of an ROV pilot is to control an ROV during deployments. People in the industry refer to this task as “flying,” much like how an airplane pilot would fly a plane.
Flying an ROV takes place in a small cabin inside an offshore platform or onboard a vessel. This space is shared with an ROV supervisor overseeing the operation, and sometimes with another ROV technician or more depending on the scale of the operation.
The pilot sees the area wherein an ROV performs its tasks through HD cameras. ROVs are also outfitted with sonar devices and other sensors provide an accurate representation of the surroundings outside the pilot’s vision. Tools such as manipulators and dredgers are equipped onto ROVs to complete specific goals, including repairs, inspections and data collection. ROV pilots are also in charge of maintaining ROVs to ensure they are in optimal working condition.
Because of the mechanical complexity of ROVs and how they are used for all sorts of underwater projects, ROV pilots are expected to be experts in various fields, such as robotics, hydraulics and electronics.
Challenges of an ROV Pilot
ROVs are expensive machinery used in extreme environments to observe and handle valuable materials and data. Even with all the most advanced gadgetry and equipment to assist operators, it still requires a high level of skill and focus for an ROV pilot to do their job as smoothly as possible under all the pressure.
There is also a huge difference from being able to directly interact with an environment and get immediate sensory feedback compared to being in an altogether different place and experiencing the ROV’s worksite secondhand. The worksite itself can pose problems, as deep ocean waters are volatile.
For the many ROV pilots who work in the offshore energy industry, the nature of such a career exacts a physical and mental toll. Jobs are usually on a rig or ship far away from home and loved ones. Shifts last 12 hours or more, and on-call scheduling is not unusual. Contracts can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to months. Privacy and entertainment options are limited.
Looking to the future, the potential impact of increasing automation in the offshore industry on ROV pilots cannot be denied. As more autonomous unmanned vehicles or AUVs enter the scene and reduce the need for personnel, this raises the bar for the skills required from ROV pilots within the rapidly changing context of cost-efficiency.
An ROV Pilot’s Routine
A day in the life of an ROV pilot can start on three different times: at the crack of dawn, the midday, or as dusk falls, depending on which shift they fall on their 12-hour schedule.
Breakfast and coffee while checking one’s computer and phone for emails, messages and news about work and the rest of the world make for typical early day routines. This is also the point in the day where they put on their flame-retardant work clothes to protect them from the general hazards of the job.
Since maintenance is an important part of an ROV pilot’s responsibilities, it is usually the first thing they get to once work begins. They go over each component of the ROV they control before anything else, from the electrical connections to the hydraulic fittings. Such preventive maintenance and cleaning guarantee all systems are working in perfect order to minimise whatever problems they might run into when the time comes to fly the ROV.
For some ROV teams, toolbox talks and job safety analyses are done before doing any maintenance to ensure everyone is reminded of the risks specific to the tasks assigned to them.
If an ROV supervisor receives orders from senior management about a specific operation, the ROV pilot has to commence pre-dive checks. These include inspecting the cameras and their lenses, the monitors for the sensors, the depth indicator, and every other device, tool, and system attached to the ROV.
Once the ROV and its tether are cleared to be in the water, the pilot gets to work flying the vehicle to its destination.
How an ROV Pilot Relaxes
After a long and hard day of work, an ROV pilot will usually need to decompress (no pun intended) and unwind before going to bed. Modern rec rooms on big platforms and vessels are set up so that crew members can watch movies, play games and enjoy each other’s company. Internet access allows them to directly call and chat with their loved ones back at home.
Food is never lacking in such facilities as well, as nutrition is vital to endure the challenging conditions. Some facilities even have gyms to encourage the crew to stay in shape. Ultimately, it is up to the ROV pilot how they spend their downtime while offshore.
What Motivates an ROV Pilot
There are many reasons that drive ROV pilots to do what they do. There are those who have a deep curiosity about life underneath the waves. There are those who love the thrill of going out to sea. Others look forward to travelling to different parts of the world, while some simply enjoy the act of flying an ROV. What they all have in common, however, are strong work ethics, excellent technical abilities and a willingness to learn.
If you are interested in becoming an ROV pilot, we have an ROV pilot career guide to help you get started. Once you’re ready to embark on this career path, head over to our ROV jobs page for available opportunities.