Experiences

Quicklinks:
Jelle Zeeman working on IJsseloog
All rounder Mick Mcgarry
Paul Cartwright - The varied work experience of Paul Cartwright
Bert Vaandrager's 25th anniversary at Atlas Tristar

Jelle Zeeman working on IJsseloog

"Atlas made my education possible"

“After completing mate/engineer officer education for the fishing industry, in 1989 at the age of 19 I became a fisherman on the North Sea. After having worked in all aspects of the profession I quit fishing in 2006”, according to Jelle Zeeman as he starts telling his story. However, he added more strings to his bow and he has been working for Atlas Eurosailor ever since.

“Advised by Atlas, I had taken a few courses in my free hours onboard. So by the time I stopped fishing I had obtained certificates in Nautische Functies 1&2 (introductory maritime courses), Groot Vaarbewijs (license to handle a vessel) and Bijzonder Opsporingsambtenaar (special investigator) as well as a Master-Coastal Waters qualification. Through Atlas I worked for the department of Public Works and Water Management as an interim captain. Subsequently Atlas paid for me to get my Inland Shipping Radar certificate. For a short time I worked for Van Oord and Baggerbedrijf De Boer, also through Atlas.”

Total amount

“In December 2007 I started work on IJsseloog, as skipper on one of the flat-boats. Gradually, I was assigned many different tasks. This is what makes this work so enjoyable: it is full of variation. Working hours are from 7 in the morning until 7 at night. Contaminated dredging sludge is delivered here from all over the Netherlands. On arrival, we have to weigh the barges in, and when they have been unloaded we weigh them out again. Based on this information I calculate the total in cubic metres and tonnes. This data is then used to compute the weekly total amount of sludge delivered. We also take samples of the contaminated sludge. this is to ensure that the comparatively restricted amount of space left (18 million m³ remaining, ed.) is filled in an effective and sustainable way.”

Interesting

“The thing that makes working here so attractive is that, even though we are on an island, we get to meet large numbers of different people. this also makes the work more interesting. The thing I like least about my job is probably the fact that because I have a one-year contract it lacks the job-security of permanent work, however.......with Atlas as my employer I have only had positive experiences and there have never been any problems.”

All rounder Mick Mcgarry


"Atlas offers me security and flexibility"

“During my time offshore I found underwater video inspection equipment is essential on multi streamer vessels and it soon became my niche”, says Mick Mcgarry, 44 year old and British, but living in St John’s (Newfoundland) with Norwegian spouse and co worker, Kjersti and Ryan, his son of seven. “Spotting potential problems with underwater rigging in the early stages can minimize downtime dramatically. A camera mounted below a small watercraft is used to make a short video of in water equipment and later transferred to the mother vessel for closer inspection.”
Mick is machine fitter by trade and military instructor for eight years serving with the British Army - Artillery and Engineers. Since 2002 he has resided in Canada and worked for Atlas Seistech since 2005. He proceeds: “Atlas Seistech gave me the opportunity for a flexible work schedule. Initially I had asked Seistech to keep me busy during Newfoundland’s icy winters and return to my seasonal business during the summer months which they gladly fulfilled. Today, I try to work a regular rotation of five weeks on and off giving ample daddy time in Canada.”

Role

“During the last ten years I have worked for numerous seismic companies in a variety of countries, Brazil, Suriname, West Africa, Canada, Norway, India and the Gulf of Mexico, which is my second home. My role for Atlas Seistech has changed, initially I was expected to fill in short term as an experienced mechanic. As the seismic market picked up again and the market flooded with new builds, my role turned into training inexperienced crewmembers in deployment and retrieval of seismic streamers/gun arrays and setting up new vessels in shipyards.”

Variety

“Expectations of the seismic mechanic can be high. With the vessel in production, hundreds of kilometres from land with limited resources, innovation and diversity are expected. A thorough understanding of seismic high pressure compressors is a must. We are expected to deal with a variety of problems including mechanical, pneumatic, electrical and hydraulic. In addition, an experienced freelancer is expected to troubleshoot gun controller software issues, plan and implement maintenance schedules, operate cranes during supply vessel transfers and workboat/FRC coxswain during routine maintenance of deployed equipment. Atlas offers me security and flexibility; in return, I try to offer and all round package for any company looking for an experienced mechanic and peace of mind for the management. Last but not least: Enjoy every day and keep one eye on Mother Nature. Too many close call incidents keep me on my toes during seismic operations.”

The varied work experience of Paul Cartwright


"I have seen the work from both sides of the fence"

“I used to work for Gardline Surveys as a surveyor and got a good grounding in the industry from this company”, Paul Cartwright tells us. “The work was primarily analogue and digital site and route surveys but I was involved with various other projects too including MOD , geotechnical, environmental and seismic exploration. We learnt all facets of the job from preparation, mobilisation, acquisition, processing, charting to final reporting.”

“When I joined the agencies DOHS and Atlas Seistech (then Atlas DOOR) the work I tended to get moved me more into the pipeline industry on DP vessels with ROVs carrying out pipeline inspections and construction work laying mattresses, sleepers and counteracts etc. Also the ROV work included supporting barges on pipeline laying projects and eventually I found myself working on the barges too.”

Client representative

“Having seen the work from both sides of the fence so to speak, this gave me one of my first breaks with Allseas: working as their client representative on the ROV/Survey Support vessel Highland Fortress on the Reliance Dhirubhai KG-D6 Field Development Project in SE India. The Highland Fortress was the lead support vessel of which there were numerous and three Allseas pipeline laying barges were there too so it was a very busy project and I learnt a lot in that period.”

Interesting

“I was on this for a year and have worked for them as a client representative since in Egypt and more recently I have been a representative for the energy companies themselves. The last job was for Tullow Oil off the coast of Gabon and took me back to the work I used to do for Gardline with multi beam and single beam echo sounders, sidescan sonars and sub bottom profilers but now as the client representative instead. The previous job was interesting as I was working as the representative for a company involved with the future wind farms Thanet and Greater Gabbard off the coast of SE England.”

Bert Vaandrager's 25th anniversary at Atlas Tristar

"You just get on with your work"

We are visiting Bert Vaandrager at his home. And for a good reason too: he has completed 25 years of uninterrupted employment at Atlas Tristar; which is quite an achievement.
We have surprised him with flowers, a cake and an attractive anniversary gratuity that will have made his day! And it is a beautiful day to boot.

But rain or shine, anniversary or not, Bert remains the same down to earth man he always has been. On being asked how it feels to celebrate this anniversary he says: “It’s no different from being with the company for one year, you just get on with your work. Would I have wanted it any different? I don’t think so, I just don’t know any better. How long I will carry on for? As I am not psychic I can only say: as long as is necessary and depending on Atlas and Shell. I am doing OK at Atlas Tristar. It is an employee-friendly organisation with short chains of command, resulting in correct and speedy solutions for any problems that might occur. Agreements stand, whoever or whatever is involved: issues are resolved. Of course, there is always room for improvement but on the whole these are small issues.”

Even though Bert has worked for the same employer for all these years, he has had a number of different jobs in different companies over the years. Currently, he is working for Shell.
“I have been employed as a senior operator/rotary equipment –both on and offshore– since the year 2000. Prior to 2000 I worked for a number of different oil companies, both in drilling and in production, in a large variety of positions. I am involved in the optimisation of the installation’s availability and the safe and efficient production of hydrocarbons, according to planning and demand.”

Active

“In addition I contribute to the improvement of the availability of the individual components, by means of sound preparation and execution of the various activities. I also provide an active contribution to the planning by means of a one-year plan, a 90-day plan and shut down meetings. These require an up-to-date list of any and (delete) all outstanding work for maintenance and repairs, integrity, inspections, modifications, issues pending on audits and a punch list relating to projects. All in all, there is a lot involved in operating a platform!”

Multifaceted

“What I liked best over the past period (delete) The best part for me was the time spent on working the pipe lines in the Groningerveld, which I told you all about last time. This work was so multifaceted, covering repairs and maintenance but also new construction. Nowadays, everything is much more controlled and structured compared to my early days in the industry. I started in the cowboy era in drilling, where in the 1970’s serious accidents were a regular occurrence. Matters have changed in that respect, thanks to the many safety regulations, and a good job too.....”