ROV Pilots 

This article will help you to understand more about the Job function, roles, requirements and operations for ROV personnel in accordance with IMCA C 005 Guidance, IMCA R 002 Guidance.

Lerus Training launches a new training course “ROV Pilot/Technician Grade II“. We therefore decided to publish a series of articles with basic information about operations, equipment and the capability requirements of personnel for the ROV industry.

Who need this information?
All people wishing to pursue a career in ROV operations in the Offshore Oil & Gas Industry. If you want to become involved in subsea operations with ROV on-board an offshore vessel, you should be aware of the main prerequisites for new personnel. They are as follows:

• Requirements for new ROV personnel
• Job functions and competence level
• Training courses for ROV
• Main duties of ROV personnel

Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) are regularly used in the Offshore Oil & Gas Industry. ROV operations are important for drilling (to monitor the BOP and riser), construction support (surveys, touch-down monitoring, interfacing), IRM (inspection, tooling), etc. Using a ROV is the best way to interact with a deep-water environment and attain high levels of safety and efficiency in a subsea operation.

The career of a ROV Pilot Technician is well suited to someone with a strong technical aptitude. They are employed worldwide for different projects and industries. Salary rates are based on current industry demands and can range from £250 to £650 per day. Experience and supervision qualities also influence the day rate.

We are using the recommendations of the IMCA to indicate the requirements for new employees (IMCA R 002):

1. Technical qualification and proficiency (engineer or technician), in electronics, electrical or mechanics
2. A good understanding of verbal and written English
3. Good personal qualities for teamwork and a good state of physical fitness to pass the offshore medical examination
4. Complete “Basic Introductory Course for New Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Personnel”

There are two categories of job functions for ROV personnel:

ROV Tooling Technician – to operate and maintain the Remote Intervention Tooling (RIT)

ROV Pilot/Technician – to maintain, repair and operate an ROV

1. ROV Tooling Technician Grade II – meet all requirements for new ROV personnel
2. ROV Tooling Technician Grade I –  completed all competences +  180 days’ minimum offshore experience as a ROV Tooling Technician Grade II
3. ROV Senior Tooling Technician – completed all competences + 360 days’ offshore experience as a ROV Tooling Technician Grade I
4. ROV Tooling Supervisor – completed all competences + 180 days’ offshore experience as a ROV Senior Tooling Technician
5. ROV Superintendent – completed all competences +  180 days’  offshore experience as a ROV Supervisor

1. ROV Pilot/Technician Grade II – meet all requirements for new ROV personnel
2. ROV Pilot/Technician Grade I – completed all competences +  180 days’ minimum offshore experience as a ROV Pilot/Technician Grade II + a minimum of 100 hours’ piloting
3. ROV Senior Pilot/Technician  –  completed all competences +  360 days’  offshore experience as a ROV Pilot/Technician Grade I
4. ROV Supervisor  – completed all competences +  180 days’  offshore experience as a ROV Senior Pilot/Technician
5. ROV Superintendent – completed all competences +  180 days’  offshore experience as a ROV Supervisor

All the requirements indicated are in accordance with IMCA C 005 guidelines and may vary from company to company, depending on the internal standards for the competency of ROV personnel. You may need to pass a refresher course at a specialised ROV training centre to change your job function upon request from your employer.

There are several types of training courses for ROV personnel. Your direct supervisor will train you internally or use the training department; alternatively, you have to attend courses at a ROV training centre. It depends on the training policy of your employer. The main training courses that you would find in specialised training centres are:

1. Premium ROV course – for candidates that do not have the required qualifications, but have the technical proficiency. Duration: approx.; 7 weeks. Content: theoretical classes, practice on simulator and/or hands on a ROV in a pool or real environment. Certificate/competency: ROV Pilot/Technician Grade II
2. ROV Pilot Technician course – for candidates that meet the requirements for new ROV personnel. Duration: approx: 3 weeks. Content: theoretical classes, practice on simulator and/or hands on a ROV in a pool or real environment. Certificate/competency: ROV Pilot/Technician Grade II
3. ROV Advanced level courses for experienced personnel such as: Supervisor course, Electronics, Fiber Optics, High Voltage, Piloting Skills, Work Class Operations. All these training courses are optional and could be requested by your employer. Certificate/competency: ROV Pilot/Technician Grade I and higher

Lerus Training launches a new training course “ROV Pilot/Technician Grade II“. This course includes theoretical and practical training sessions. The equipment for this course is “Sea eye Falcon” – Inspection Class ROV and its Surface Control unit. All students will have hands on practice with a ROV onboard the vessel during the training course. Please click here for more details

ROV personnel should demonstrate adequate skills, enabling them to maintain, repair and operate a ROV during different operations, emergencies and tasks upon completion of basic training. They should now be able to understand and perform as a ROV Pilot: during different operations, emergency situations and tasks upon completion basic training. You should be able to understand and perform next as ROV Pilot:

(take a look at types and tools of ROV in this article)

1. Be aware of environmental considerations in offshore: weather; sea state and swell; currents;  water depth; seabed characteristics; the vehicle’s capabilities and limitations
2. Risk assessment of all factors for a specific operation
3. The operating procedures for a current operation
4. Ensure that ROV system is supplied with the necessary documentation and your team is  familiar with all relevant legislation for the operational area.
5. Understand the hazards for the location of ROV system (equipment and personnel)
6. Understand procedures and perform a safe launch and recovery of ROV
7. Effective communications for the safety and success of ROV operation
8. Be aware of hazards for different ROV Operating Sites: DP vessels, PSV, ROV support vessels, DSV, MODU, Fixed Installations, etc
9. Perform accurate navigation, positioning and tracking during ROV operations
10. Routine inspection and maintenance of the umbilical cable
11. Be aware of other  physical hazards, e.g. water intakes and discharges,  hazards to divers caused by ROV, safe use of electricity,  high-pressure water-jetting, etc
12. Testing and periodic examination of all equipment

It is important that ROV personnel maintain records of their ROV operations. An IMCA logbook has been designed and is recommended for this purpose. You are responsible for all records of your flying hours, competency levels, passed training courses, etcetera.

As a ROV operator, you should respect nature because you will meet many underwater creatures that do not expect to meet your ROV. Please be careful with those creatures. Sometimes you will have to stop your ROV operations due to the influence of these creatures.

We believe that you are able to perform all duties of ROV personnel in a safe manner. From our side we are ready to provide a basic entry-training course to strengthen your CV and increase your employability for the ROV industry. Please click here for more details