How To transition from US Navy to the offshore industry

**joe cam** · June 8th, 2009, 04:59 AM

Good Morning,
I am currently in the Navy and will be out in about 30 days. I am currently a welder and am looking for employment in the off shore oil fields. I was wondering if anyone has any experience in this field? What would be the best bet for finding a job? What is the life like? Would this be a good choice of a career to go into?
Thanks for any help.

Joe

**Capt. Lee** · June 8th, 2009, 01:56 PM

I don't know if it is a good choice or not, but a good welder offshore is always needed. Most all of the drilling companies are looking for one. I don't know exactly what the pay is, but I suppose it is between 65-85K working an even time rotation. Most companies will either provide or subsidize travel. Good benefits and 401K's are standard.

**Jemplayer** · June 8th, 2009, 08:40 PM

Here are two contractors that I know off the top of my head that have welders they send offshore.
http://www.dolphinoffshore.com/
http://www.gisy.com/

Things are real slow offshore just as they are everywhere, but if we have another hurricane season like we did in `05 then you can write your own ticket.

**Capt. Fran** · June 8th, 2009, 09:27 PM

Hi Joe,
If nothing is moving offshore, maybe you could bide your time at a shipyard. Sorry, only familiar with Seattle area:

http://www.psns.navy.mil/EmploymentOpportunities.htm

http://www.toddpacific.com/company/jobs/

Anyone else know of any GOM yards that actually have work?

**Jemplayer** · June 9th, 2009, 10:01 AM

I dont know who's hiring, but these are all the ones i can think of. Most of the bigger ones have yards all the way from Louisiana to Alabama.

The big ones:
VT Halter
Bollinger
Master Boat Builders
Allied Ship Yard
Austell
The Chouest Ship Yards- But the only Americans I've ever seen are the foremen. The Mexicans would start lining up at the gate at 4am to interview.

Smaller ones:
Supreme Ship Yards
Rays Ship Yard
Island Ship Yard

Crewboat Builders:
Gulf Craft
Bay Craft
Nueville
Breux Brothers
Swift Ships
C&G

Those are all I know off the top of my head.

There are literally hundreds of construction outfits from New Iberia to New Orleans that do this type of stuff.

I had recently read in the last Work Boat that yards were still hiring, but only those that are well qualified. I.E. not just any Mexican that can hold a torch. If you have a lot of experience welding with Aluminum then the better chance of finding work you have.

**aquariusxm** · June 10th, 2009, 05:14 PM

I know that Trinity Yachts in New Orleans is hiring and possibly their big yard in Gulfport, MS. They're located on France Road in New Orleans...good luck mate!