Just read a report saying the average saturation diver works only about 120 days a year

I was looking at some industry data from a North Sea contractor's report last week. It said the average saturation diver works around 120 days a year, even though they're on call a lot more. I always figured the number would be higher, given the long hitches. But the report said it's due to weather delays, mandatory surface intervals, and project gaps. On one hand, it means more time off. On the other, it makes budgeting for the slow months tough. For those of you doing sat work, does that 120-day average sound right from your experience?

2 comments

2 Comments

elliot_allen6514d ago

Heard a similar thing from a buddy who works Gulf of Mexico jobs. He said last year he only clocked about 110 actual diving days, even with a six month contract. The big killer was waiting on weather windows, then having to sit out the required surface interval after a saturation run. You're stuck on the boat but not earning dive pay. It makes that day rate look great until you realize how many days you're just sitting around waiting.

calebh9014d ago

Sounds about right to me. @elliot_allen65 nailed it with the weather and surface intervals killing your active days. You gotta save that dive pay for the long stretches on standby.