Career Guide: ROV Pilot Technician
In the third post in our series of offshore career guides, we detail the role of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pilot technician.
Job Breakdown
An ROV pilot technician handles the operation, maintenance and repair of an ROV and its systems. ROVs accomplish tasks in underwater environments that are often too deep or too dangerous for human divers. These tasks vary as ROVs are used in fields ranging from subsea oil and gas development projects, IRM (Inspection, Repair and Maintenance) construction to UXO surveys, cable lay / pipe lay, trenching, salvage and scientific research.
The tasks differ depending on the seniority level of the ROV pilot technician. ROV pilot technicians begin at Grade II and can end up as high as ROV superintendents, moving from hands-on ROV piloting to a more supervisory and project planning role.
General ROV Pilot Technician duties include:
-
Assembling, testing and preparing ROV systems
-
Launching and controlling the ROV from an offshore vessel or rig into underwater depths of up to 4,000 metres
-
Piloting ROV to execute mission briefs
-
Operating ROV equipment
-
Cameras and sonar displays for navigation and inspection
-
Intervention tools such as robotic manipulators or “arms” for simple actions such as picking up objects and maintaining moving parts on subsea manifolds
-
Relaying, recording and interpreting data during and after the dive
-
Complying with company/client, as well as industry health and safety, standards
-
Reporting faults and breaches of safety procedures to supervisors
-
Maintaining and repairing the ROV and its systems regularly
-
Liaising with other departments for equipping and upgrading the ROV
-
Performing hydraulic and electronic construction
ROV pilot technicians can make a lateral career move to work as ROV tooling technicians, which focus on the operation and maintenance of remote intervention tooling (RIT) systems attached to and used by ROVs. General tasks include using remote-operated tools for remote installation, module replacement and subsea asset repair and decommissioning.
Working Hours and Environment
ROV pilot technicians generally work on offshore vessels, platforms, rigs and marine laboratories, with some stationed in coastal facilities. In line with most offshore careers, working as an ROV pilot technician means long hours. Shifts can last up to 12 hours. Jobs typically take weeks to a month out at sea.
ROV operation takes place inside a control cabin shared with a small staff of around 3 people. Professional setups are generally warm and clean.
ROV maintenance and repairs are done on the deck of a vessel or platform. Depending on the location, ROV pilot technicians can be exposed to harsh weather conditions while performing such tasks. Special gear has to be worn in cold environments. They may also be expected to do some heavy lifting.
Living aboard a ship or an offshore rig does not afford much space inside crew quarters. Like with any offshore job, it is not uncommon for ROV pilot technicians to work alongside people of various nationalities. Courtesy toward different cultures and personalities make living and working together easier.
Job Entry and Qualifications
There are multiple ways to become an ROV pilot technician.
The general entry point to this career is having one of the following educational achievements in mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering:
-
Higher National Certificate
-
Higher National Diploma
-
Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree with Honours
Another entry point is performing military service in national military organisations (RAF, Royal Navy or the Merchant Navy in the UK) and getting training in the following:
-
Navigation
-
Marine engineering
-
Aircraft engineering
It may be helpful to have knowledge and work experience in the following fields:
-
Hydraulics
-
Mechanics
-
Pneumatics
-
Physics
-
Earth Science
-
Marine Biology
-
Oceanography
-
Meteorology
Meanwhile, to be covered for work in the North Sea and further afield, offshore work will generally require a combination of the following certificates or documents:
-
Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET)
-
OGUK Medical Certificate
-
Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET)
-
Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST)
-
CA-EBS
-
Seaman’s Book
-
Competency Certificate
-
Log Book
-
Passport
-
STCW or GWO certificates
Companies tend to look for the following skills and characteristics:
-
Analytical problem-solving
-
Proficiency in computers and numbers
-
Aptitude for working with technical and mechanical equipment
-
Practical knowledge in the use of power and hand tools
-
Strong verbal and written communication skills
-
Strict attention to detail
-
Ability to work alone and under pressure
-
Willingness to work with a team
-
Physically and mentally fit to work under strenuous conditions
-
Responsible attitude toward health and safety
Salary
An entry-level ROV pilot technician can have an annual salary starting from £25,000 to £40,000.
Meanwhile, a Senior ROV pilot technician can have an annual salary starting from £40,000 to £70,000.
An ROV pilot technician that has grown into that of an ROV Supervisor or Superintendent with strong system-specific, project and organisational expertise role can earn as much as £100,000 or even more in annual income.
Contracting is also a viable alternative to full-time employment when working as an ROV pilot technician. Workers are paid based on their day rate. How much demand there is for the specific job, where it takes place, how many days it takes to finish, the client’s commercial situation and the worker’s experience all affect freelance pay.
Based on 2019 market averages, a freelance ROV pilot technician might earn anywhere from £300 to £450 per day.
Senior ROV Pilot Technicians or Submersible Engineers (Sub Engs) should look for £350 - £500 per day and ROV Supervisors should look for £400 - £600 per day.
The above day-rate indicators will vary from client-to-client and project-to-project, so it is important to discuss the market regularly with your agency to know how to set your expectations.
It is also important to note that the above rates don’t take into account tax increased liabilities incurred in areas such as Norway, or hardships incurred through work in certain global areas of elevated risk. In such instances, the market has generally uplifted GROSS day rates by 10% to help offset any financial or personal hardship incurred through the undertaking of a freelance project as an ROV professional.
Training and Development
There are no statutory requirements in taking specialised ROV training to get a job as an ROV pilot technician. However, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published a guide (called the IMCA R 002) that can serve as baseline education for understanding what goes into the work of an ROV pilot technician.
Do remember that perusing the IMCA document for entry level ROV requirements is not a prerequisite to getting hired. Taking courses from schools and training providers covering IMCA R 002 also does not make one qualified for an ROV pilot technician job.
Some companies provide in-house training to acquaint ROV personnel with their own ROV systems and procedures.
Along with the IMCA, the following organisations are helpful resources for industry news, professional development programmes and networking opportunities:
Employment Prospects
ROV pilot technicians can find work with the following employers:
-
Private companies in offshore energy and construction
-
Local and national government authorities
-
Environmental agencies
-
Military organisations
-
Pipe and cable laying companies
-
Surveying companies
-
Search and salvage operations
-
Organisations involved in archaeological exploration
-
Academic research institutes
Experienced ROV pilot technicians can work with engineering consultancies for subsea projects. Contracting is another reliable method for workers with plenty of experience.
Offshore Opportunities
Because ROV pilot technicians mostly do their work offshore, there are plenty of employment opportunities abroad:
-
The North Sea, along with other Norwegian naval territories such as the Barents and Norwegian seas, are mainstays in the offshore energy industry
-
In Portugal, scientific expeditions and surveys are happening along the Azores
-
The Gulf of Mexico remains a hotbed for offshore oil and gas work with companies based in the US and Mexico
-
The East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Bohai Sea are the go-to locations for a job with Chinese offshore energy and survey companies
Career Trajectory
An ROV pilot technician’s career usually starts with on-the-job training to get familiar with the company’s ROV systems. By the end of the training, the ROV pilot technician begins work as a base technician, or more specifically as an ROV Pilot Technician II.
With enough experience, the base technician can become an ROV pilot for a small ROV or a junior member of a multi-person crew on a large ROV. This is either streamed by the ROV company owing to the employees personal preference, or based upon the skills background of the budding ROV professional (traditionally, those with strong Mechanical or Hydraulic skills would be well suited to Work Class ROVs, whilst electrically and electronically-minded technicians would be better suited to smaller “Eyeball” or Observation Class ROVs).
Years of working as a junior ROV pilot technician and, subsequently, an ROV PIlot Technician I will lead to a role as a Senior ROV Pilot Technician. For those who have an aptitude for team management, project oversight and operations, progression to ROV supervisor, ROV Superintendent and - eventually - operations manager is possible.
Freelancing is another avenue to take for experienced ROV pilot technicians looking to make more money and enjoy more freedom over their careers.
If you’d like to become an ROV pilot technician, head over to our ROV jobs page for opportunities to advance your career.