Civil Engineer BLOG

For your offshore oil rig job that you have just been hired for you will need to have all of the safety equipment that you will be wearing offshore. Your employer may give you a voucher to buy steel toe boots paid for by them. They will usually provide you with a hard hat, gloves and safety glasses and ear plugs.

Step 1
In some cases you may get a heavy offshore duffel bag for your gear, in other cases you will have to buy one. Choose a duffel bag that is approximately three feet long by two feet high. Any longer and it may not fit on the storage space of the crew boat or helicopter. It should be made of heavy rubberized vinyl to prevent contents from getting wet. Weather on offshore oil rigs can be highly variable so bring cold and hot weather gear, heavy socks, etc.

Step 2
If you are taking prescription medications you will want to bring them in their original bottles. All medicines must be within their expiration dates with your name on it. Otherwise it will be destroyed or you may be fired for bringing illegal drugs aboard. If you are going to be gone for more than the length of your prescription supply you will need to tell your doctor before you leave and request a larger supply so that you do not run out while on the offshore rig. This is especially important for life saving medicines such as for asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes. Offshore drilling rigs may be located days from land and getting replacement medicine may be impossible.

Step3
You will want to take along some things to entertain yourself during your off time on an an offshore drilling rig. This may include a deck of cards, an MP3 player, video game, DVD's to share with your co workers, magazines and books.
If you are a smoker there is no place to buy cigarettes on an offshore rig so bring a two weeks supply.
In some cases cell phones will work offshore although you may pay a high rate. Bring all the chargers you may need for personal electronics and shavers. If you use disposable razors bring a two week supply plus other toiletries.
Bring some spare cash for things you may need to buy from coworkers or poker night and a debit or prepaid Visa or Mastercard in case you need to use the offshore rig's pay phone.