35 Years in the industry

13 December 2022

35 years in any profession is a lot of time, but in an industry as robust and constantly changing as the energy and maritime industries it becomes even more of an admirable feat. Still, everyone has to start from somewhere, and when asked about when and why he chose this profession in the first place, Ron states that he was inspired by his father and decided to follow his footsteps into the sea when he turned 16. 

During his initial years in the Industry, Ron started off on cargo ships and then advanced to Anchor Handlers and has been working in the Energy industry ever since: “After 35 years in the Industry, there are few vessel types I have not worked on.” Ron also gladly mentions the impressive number countries and places he got to see during his time offshore – especially the ones in Southeast Asia and Australia, where he hails from. 

1.300 Helicopters – and Even More Passengers 

Of course, the Industry is full of challenges and Ron argues that it was one of his recent deployments he successfully secured with Atlas Professionals was perhaps one of the biggest ones he had to tackle. Ron was the permanent Chief Integrated Rating on an accommodation vessel in a project near the coasts of Northwest Australia. He stayed in the vessel for approximately 16 months – from the beginning all the way to the end. 

“For sure, with a task as demanding as this, the very challenge of even managing how people got in and out of the vessel was an enormous feat due to the number of helicopters we handled, given that the rig was 1 hour 45 minutes from the shore. More than 1.300 helicopters landed during my time, accounting to 60.000 passengers with 120.000 bags!” 

Ron goes on to detail the tasks he had to handle: “Our team handled all the baggage and unloaded it each day. There was a lot of baggage and a lot of stairs. We certainly don’t need to go to the gym at the end of our shift!” he jokes. He also explains how after a break, the team would then start to unload the cargo: “With some 650 people onboard, the amount of required food storage was staggering.” Given the sheer number of helicopter operations, Ron is proud that everything was handled safely - and without any incidents. 

From Salmons to 3D Sketching 

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia imposed some notable travel and work restrictions for both foreigners and Australian nationals, including Ron, and this allowed him to rack up his already impressive track record of working on different jobs. 

Ron recollects his memories for the initial months of the pandemic: “Obviously COVID-19 affected the industry a lot and I could not fly to Western Australia to work like I normally do, as in Australia you could not move to a different state to work during the COVID-19 lockdowns if you were from a different state. After discussing these issues with Atlas Professionals, they found me a position I could fill in the state I was in – a position in a salmon fishing vessel.” 

Ron was also offered a position with a 3D modelling company as they were trying to generate a 3D image of a rig, and since Ron is extremely knowledgeable about anything and everything related to these types of vessels, he was able to assist the crew while they were on board. “It was not looking good before Atlas Professionals intervened. They were taking photos, doing modelling and I was assisting these operations as someone who knows these rigs – I did this for over 45 days.” 

Ron then goes on to detail he got to travel to Western Australia to pursue positions he is more familiar with and thanks Atlas Professionals for our support during these times of turbulence: “During last year I was on a supply boat and an accommodation vessel – and now I am on an accommodation and construction support vessel, so everything is returning back to normal. When there wasn’t much work and when Atlas Professionals got me that other jobs, it was an eye opener. Never thought I’d take these jobs on – but I did.” 

When it comes to what is next, Ron is not sure as well – but he sure is up for the challenge, just like how he was for all those 35 years: “My current position is about to end – I don’t know where I will go next but I am looking forward to it!”