He loves travelling, rolling up his sleeves and working in a close team. Don’t put him behind a desk, but on deck. That’s where he feels at home. Meet Karim: rigger, mechanic and handyman at TOS.
‘I am a mechatronics engineer by training. I am handy, love fixing things and have become my own boss. Via via I started working in the offshore sector. One of my relatives suggested working as a rigger. It is perfect!’
START WORKING OFFSHORE WIND
Working offshore means working in exceptional circumstances so you need to do safety training first. Once you’ve done courses like basic offshore, banksmen, rigging and slinging, you’re qualified to go and start your offshore career. TOS helped me and I was soon ready to start. My first job was as a Trainee Rigger on the Ndurance. It was a great job in which we laid an export cable. This is the last cable for an offshore wind farm that goes to the first onshore substation. The team comprised a deck foreman and 2 or 3 experienced riggers. We finished the job in three months and I was done with my traineeship. It also became clear that working offshore was the right thing for me. I enjoy my work. You build a close relationship with your team and that is absolutely essential. You must be able to trust and protect each other. Working offshore is not without risks. Every day it’s safety first. You look over each other’s shoulders and never work alone. You always know who is on deck so that you can work safely. You do this as a team! And of course, you’re working outdoors in lovely light and with beautiful views. It’s pure nature.
Offshore vessels I have worked on
DEMOBILISATION & INFIELD CABLES
My offshore adventure continues. The next project is in Vlissingen: the demobilisation of the Giant 7 – ‘just’ clear a deck. It is in the planning for a new project, so we have to collect/grind all the material from the deck, so that the deck is clear for refitting for the next job. It takes us more than a week to get the job done. Our team consists of a deck foreman and 2 or 3 riggers. I am on night duty, something I have to get used to, but it’s quite relaxed. We start with a toolbox meeting where you hear what you need to do. After the meeting, you sign the job list for agreement and start work. The work consists of a lot of lifting (lifting material ashore). They also arrange a hot work permit for grinding work. They leave nothing to chance. Everything is carefully coordinated.
The job after that is on the Ndurance again. This time we lay an infield cable, a cable between two wind turbines at sea. I have been assigned to the deck team. The job involves a lot of teams, including an external ROV team. We work 24/7 and are in constant contact with each other on the radio. The accommodation is fab, with a sports and relaxation area. The food is delicious too. And if you want, you can have a hot meal three times a day.
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT: MECHANIC
On Allseas’ Iron Lady, I have to shadow an experienced offshore mechanic. We check the ballast and do tests. I can then work as a professional mechanic. This shows that hard work pays off. But apart from hard work, good communications is important too. I see myself in the role of tower foreman in my next offshore career step. It’s a great position where you have the helicopter view and it is a good place to learn to take the step to deck foreman in the future. You really need a lot of experience for this position to keep tabs on all the activities on deck. It’s good to have dreams of the future, right? My contact with TOS is also personal and open so I am looking forward to the next job!”
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD OF OFFSHORE WIND, CONSTRUCTION AND OIL & GAS
We feel at home in this dynamic, no-nonsense world of Offshore jobs in Wind, Construction and Oil & Gas. A world full of innovation, challenges and making sustainable energy more competitive. With its own special laws and regulations, where safety and efficiency are crucial. With empathy and the ability to find solutions, anytime and anyplace, we make the right match between our professionals and our clients!
Nowadays, our clients are working around the globe, offering their state of the art equipment and vessels to execute projects worldwide. The demand for wind & construction experts is growing, and TOS is always looking for hands-on professionals who think outside the box. We work globally with more than 1500 professionals who have the right skills to support the success of our clients’ projects. We know them personally and are in close contact with them through our head office in Rotterdam and offices worldwide.
