Working on Offshore Platforms: A Rope Access Technician's Guide

Offshore work represents some of the highest-paying opportunities in rope access. It's also some of the most demanding — physically, mentally, and lifestyle-wise.

If you've been working onshore and you're eyeing those offshore day rates, this guide gives you the reality: what offshore work actually involves, what certifications you'll need, what you'll earn, and whether the lifestyle suits you.

No romanticizing, no sugar-coating. Just the practical truth from technicians who've lived it.

What "Offshore" Means in Rope Access

Offshore work means working on structures located at sea:

• Fixed platforms (legs anchored to seabed)
• Floating production platforms
• FPSOs (Floating Production, Storage, Offloading vessels)
• Drilling rigs
• Subsea infrastructure support

• Offshore wind turbines
• Substations
• Converter platforms
• Transition pieces

• Telecommunications towers
• Research platforms
• Bridge structures over water

The work itself varies: inspections (NDT), painting and coating, structural maintenance, installation, decommissioning.

But regardless of what you're doing, offshore work has common characteristics: rotation patterns, isolation, weather exposure, strict safety requirements, and premium pay.

The Offshore Lifestyle: Rotation Patterns

Forget the 9-5. Offshore means rotations — extended periods working on the platform, followed by extended periods off.

Common Rotation Patterns:

• 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off (2/2) — Most common for North Sea oil and gas
• 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off (3/3) — Common in wind energy
• 4 weeks on, 4 weeks off (4/4) — Some international projects
• Ad hoc/campaign work — Project-specific, could be anywhere from a few days to several months

During your "on" period:

• You're on the platform 24/7
• Work days are typically 12 hours (6am-6pm or 6pm-6am)
• 7 days a week during your rotation
• You live in shared accommodation (cabins, usually 2-4 people)
• Meals are provided (canteen-style)
• No alcohol
• Limited personal space and privacy

During your "off" period:

• You're completely off work
• Full pay continues (offshore pay typically includes rotation off-time)
• This is when you live your personal life

Who This Suits:

• People without daily family commitments (or partners who support the lifestyle)
• Those who value extended time off for travel, hobbies, or other projects
• Technicians who prefer intensive work blocks over daily routines
• Anyone who can handle isolation and confined living

Who Struggles:

• Parents of young children (missing weeks at a time is hard)
• People who need daily routines and social connection
• Those with medical conditions requiring regular in-person care
• Anyone uncomfortable with confined spaces or being far from land

Be honest with yourself before committing to offshore work. The money is excellent, but it's not worth it if the lifestyle makes you miserable.

Offshore Pay Rates: What You'll Actually Earn

Offshore pays significantly more than onshore. Here are realistic 2025 figures:

North Sea (UK, Norway, Netherlands Sectors)

• Add 15-30% to base rates
• Specialized NDT technicians can earn £500-700/day even at Level 2

Gulf of Mexico / US Offshore

Middle East / Asia Pacific Offshore

(Often tax-free or low-tax depending on employment structure)

Annual Earnings Reality

Let's calculate what this actually means annually.

Example: Level 2 technician, North Sea, 2/2 rotation

• Day rate: €400
• Working days per year: ~180 (26 rotations × ~7 working days, accounting for mobilization)
• Gross annual: €72,000

Compare to the same technician working onshore:

• Day rate: €260
• Working days per year: 200 (gaps between projects)
• Gross annual: €52,000

The offshore premium is real. But remember: you're also spending 180+ days per year isolated on a platform.

Required Certifications: The Offshore Ticket Stack

IRATA certification alone won't get you offshore work. You need additional safety and survival certifications.

Essential for All Offshore Work

BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training)

• Duration: 3-4 days
• Cost: €800-1,200
• Validity: 4 years (then FOET refresher required)
• Content:

This is mandatory. No BOSIET = no offshore access, anywhere.

HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training)

Some regions require standalone HUET in addition to BOSIET, or as the primary certification. It focuses specifically on helicopter ditching scenarios.

• Duration: 1 day
• Cost: €400-600
• Validity: 4 years
• Content: Underwater escape from helicopter simulator (including inverted scenarios)

Offshore Medical Certificate

• Valid medical examination by approved physician
• Covers fitness for offshore work (heart, lungs, fitness, psychological)
• Validity: 2 years typically
• Cost: €150-300

Without a valid medical, you won't be allowed to board a helicopter or vessel to the platform.

Region-Specific Requirements

UK Offshore (OGUK Standards)

• BOSIET (OPITO-approved)
• MIST (Minimum Industry Safety Training) — or included in newer BOSIET courses
• CA-EBS (Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System) if working in enclosed spaces
• Offshore medical to OGUK standard

Norway Offshore

• NOGEPA or OPITO BOSIET
• NORSOK-compliant offshore medical
• Often requires additional Norwegian safety inductions

Netherlands Offshore (Wind Focus)

• NOGEPA BOSIET
• GWO Basic Safety Training (if working on wind turbines)
• GWO Advanced Rescue Training (increasingly required)
• VCA or equivalent safety certification

Middle East / Asia Pacific

• OPITO BOSIET accepted in most regions
• Country-specific medical standards
• Additional inductions depending on operator

Trade-Specific Certifications

If you're doing specialized offshore work:

• UT (Ultrasonic Testing)
• MT (Magnetic Particle)
• PT (Penetrant Testing)
• VT (Visual Testing)
• PCN or ASNT certified depending on region

• Coded welder certification to relevant standards
• Offshore typically requires 6G/6GR certifications

• NACE or FROSIO certification
• Abrasive blasting qualifications

• Certified electrical qualifications
• Potentially compex or ATEX training for explosive atmospheres

Total Certification Investment

If you're starting from scratch and want to be offshore-ready:

Add trade skill certifications and the cost climbs higher. But here's the math: if offshore work earns you €20,000 more per year than onshore, your certification investment pays back in 3-4 months.

What Offshore Work Actually Involves

Let's walk through a typical offshore rotation.

Mobilization Day

• Wake up early (helicopter or boat transfers often depart 6-8am)
• Travel to heliport or port (often Aberdeen, Den Helder, Esbjerg depending on region)
• Safety briefing
• Weigh-in (strict weight limits for helicopters including luggage and equipment)
• Flight or boat transfer to platform (30 minutes to 2 hours depending on distance)
• Platform induction and safety briefing
• Settle into cabin
• Dinner and rest

Working Days

• 6am: Wake up, breakfast
• 6:30am: Toolbox talk with team
• 7am: Start work (rigging, inspection, painting, whatever the project involves)
• 12pm: Lunch break (1 hour)
• 1pm: Resume work
• 6pm: Finish work, equipment check and secure
• 6:30pm: Dinner
• Evening: Gym, TV room, read, sleep

This repeats for 14-28 days straight depending on rotation.

The Work Itself:

Offshore rope access work is often maintenance-focused:

• Structural inspections (visual, NDT)
• Painting and coating (corrosion protection)
• Cleaning and preparation
• Minor repairs
• Installation support

The working environment is challenging:

• Exposed to weather (wind, rain, cold)
• Salt spray (accelerates equipment wear)
• Height work over open ocean
• Noise from platform operations
• Working around live equipment and pipelines

Safety is Paramount:

Offshore is heavily regulated. Safety procedures are strict and enforced:

• Permit-to-work systems for every task
• Extensive PPE requirements
• Strict drop-zone management
• Comprehensive rescue planning
• Regular safety drills (fire, evacuation, man overboard)

If you're someone who finds safety procedures frustrating, offshore isn't for you. Compliance is non-negotiable.

Demobilization Day

• Final work day (sometimes half-day)
• Pack equipment and personal belongings
• Platform safety briefing and sign-out
• Helicopter or boat transfer back to shore
• Travel home
• Enjoy your time off

The Upsides of Offshore Work

Let's be balanced. Offshore has significant advantages:

Financial

• High day rates (30-60% more than onshore)
• Paid rotation off-time (you're paid for the full rotation, not just working days)
• Accommodation and food provided (so your expenses are lower)
• Ability to save money faster

Lifestyle

• Extended time off (2-4 weeks per rotation)
• Time for travel, hobbies, side projects
• No commuting or daily routine grind
• Intensive work blocks mean you can fully disconnect when off

Career Development

• Exposure to complex projects
• Work with experienced technicians
• Develop resilience and discipline
• Strong offshore experience opens doors globally

Community

Offshore teams often bond strongly. You're living and working together in a confined space, which creates camaraderie (if the team culture is good).

The Downsides of Offshore Work

Now the challenges:

Isolation

• Weeks away from family, friends, partners
• Missing birthdays, anniversaries, important events
• Limited communication (WiFi exists on most platforms now, but it's often slow)
• Confined living quarters

Physical Demands

• 12-hour days, 7 days a week
• Exposure to harsh weather
• Physically demanding work
• Fatigue accumulates over the rotation

Mental Health

• Isolation can be tough mentally
• Lack of privacy and personal space
• High-pressure environment
• Some people struggle with the repetitive routine

Lifestyle Constraints

• Difficult to maintain relationships
• Hard to be a present parent
• Can't commit to regular onshore activities (sports teams, classes, etc.)
• Your life revolves around rotation schedules

Job Security

Offshore work is often project-based and cyclical:

• Oil and gas work fluctuates with oil prices
• Wind energy campaigns are seasonal
• Decommissioning work is time-limited
• Gaps between rotations can happen

Offshore Wind vs. Oil and Gas

The offshore sector is shifting. Oil and gas work remains strong but is declining in some regions. Offshore wind is booming.

Offshore Wind Characteristics

Pros:

• Growing sector (massive investment in Europe and Asia)
• Generally cleaner working environment
• More predictable work (ongoing maintenance)
• Often located closer to shore (shorter transfers)

Cons:

• Requires GWO certification (additional cost and time)
• Work is highly weather-dependent (wind limits for transfers and working)
• Seasonal patterns (winter maintenance is harsh)
• Can be monotonous (turbine inspection work is repetitive)

Typical Wind Work:

• Blade inspections and repairs
• Gearbox and nacelle access
• Electrical system maintenance
• Coating and corrosion inspection

Oil and Gas Characteristics

Pros:

• Higher pay rates (especially North Sea mature platforms)
• Diverse work types
• Established industry with clear standards

Cons:

• More hazardous environment (flammable materials, high pressures)
• Stricter safety restrictions
• Declining in some regions (North Sea decommissioning)
• Longer offshore distances

Typical Oil & Gas Work:

• Structural integrity inspections
• NDT (corrosion mapping, weld inspection)
• Painting and coating (extensive corrosion protection)
• Decommissioning support

Both sectors offer good opportunities. Wind is the growth sector; oil and gas still pays premium rates.

How to Break Into Offshore Work

Offshore employers want experienced, certified, reliable technicians. Here's how to position yourself:

Step 1: Build Onshore Experience First

Most offshore contractors won't hire fresh Level 1s. Build foundation experience:

• Log 500-1,000 hours onshore
• Progress to Level 2 if possible
• Gain experience in relevant sectors (industrial, coating, NDT)

Step 2: Stack Your Certifications

Get offshore-ready:

• Complete BOSIET
• Obtain offshore medical
• Add GWO if targeting wind
• Consider NDT or trade certifications

Step 3: Target Offshore Contractors

Research companies doing offshore work:

• IRATA member companies with offshore divisions
• Specialist offshore rope access providers
• Large industrial service companies

Apply directly. Include:

• Full CV with offshore certifications listed
• Logbook summary (hours, experience)
• Clear statement of offshore availability and flexibility

Step 4: Use Recruitment Agencies

Offshore work often flows through specialist agencies:

• Register with agencies that handle offshore contracts
• Keep your certifications up to date and accessible
• Be responsive when opportunities arise

Step 5: Network

Offshore is relationship-driven:

• Connect with offshore technicians (LinkedIn, industry events)
• Build your profile on Rope Access Network with offshore certifications visible
• Stay in touch with supervisors from past jobs

Is Offshore Right for You?

Honest self-assessment time.

Offshore suits you if:

• You're comfortable with isolation and confined living
• You value high earning potential
• You like intensive work blocks followed by extended time off
• You can handle physically demanding work in harsh conditions
• You're disciplined, safety-focused, and can follow strict procedures
• Your personal life can accommodate long absences

Offshore probably isn't right if:

• You have young children and want to be present daily
• You need routine and stability
• You struggle with isolation or confined spaces
• You have medical conditions requiring regular care
• You prefer varied work environments
• You're not comfortable with strict regulatory environments

There's no judgment either way. Offshore is a specific lifestyle, and it's not for everyone. The money is tempting, but mental health and quality of life matter too.

Conclusion: High Reward, High Demand

Offshore rope access work offers some of the best earning potential in the industry. But it earns that premium through genuine demands: isolation, physical intensity, strict safety requirements, and lifestyle sacrifices.

If you're considering offshore work:

1. Get your certifications stacked (BOSIET, medical, IRATA Level 2+, GWO if targeting wind)
2. Build solid onshore experience first
3. Research the sector (wind vs. oil & gas) and choose your focus
4. Be realistic about the lifestyle and whether it suits you
5. Network and apply strategically to offshore contractors

For the right person, offshore work is excellent: high pay, extended time off, professional development, and the satisfaction of working in one of the most demanding environments in the industry.

For the wrong person, it's miserable.

Know yourself. Choose wisely.

Ready for offshore work? Create your profile on Rope Access Network and list your offshore certifications. Employers looking for offshore-ready technicians search our database daily.