Chapter 17

Important Tips

Do NOT take drugs, alcohol, or firearms with you. All companies reserve the right to search your person for these items at any time. Spot checks are often made at helicopter and boat departure and landing points, as well as on the rigs. If any of these items are found on you, you will be terminated and your offshore career will have just ended. It's not worth it.

If you are taking prescription drugs with you, make sure the dates are current. Also, do not mix prescription drugs in the same container. If you are found with prescription drugs, you will be okay as long as the prescription is in your name, it is current, and you have a prescription for each type of drug.

Many companies are beginning to expand the urine analysis aspect of the pre-employment physical. Previously, they were checking for VD or blood diseases. They still check for that, but now extensively check for drugs in the bloodstream. If you take drugs even socially, do not take them before you report for a pre-employment physical. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, will remain in your bloodstream between 14 and 30 days after your last usage. Traces of cocaine can remain in your bloodstream for up to three months after your last usage. If you are given a drug-screen test at your pre- employment physical and your blood shows any trace of illicit drugs, you will not be hired. End of story.

The first thing you want to do when coming on board for the first time is to find out where your room is so you can stow your gear. If a company representative is not there to assist you with this, then ask one of the galley hands. After you've stowed your gear, try to find the toolpusher. Tell him who you are and that you are reporting for work. If he's busy, don't bother him.

At your first available opportunity find and study the station bill. These should be conspicuously posted throughout the living quarters. The station bill will tell you where to go and what to do in the event of an emergency.

If you are going to the rig by means of helicopter, you will have a fairly smooth and comfortable ride. If, on the other hand, you are going out by boat, that could very well be a different story. Take a pillow and blanket with you (at least a blanket). Boats are kept very cold on the inside to keep people from getting sick. Ask the captain or one of the deck hands if they have any motion sickness pills, called Dramamine. By all means take some. Your boat ride could last from 4 to 14 hours and when you get out into a 6 to 12-foot sea, it gets quite rough.