BASIC DPO, WHERE TO GO, PLS READ

**Mikeganuza** · January 12th, 2009, 08:37 AM

good day all!!!,

Well here I am searching for a starting position, is well know that for anyone searching for a job position, the fisrt question is, "Do you have any experience??", Ironically my answer must be YES! as I have 13 years non stop sailing, I am an unlimited Master Licences national (Venezuela) & Panamanian, all courses required by any administration, Captain in VLCC tankers, sailing worlwide, etc..but as one recruitment ask...."DO YOU HAVE ANY OFFSHORE EXPERIENCE?", Unfortunatelly for me the right answer is "NO", actually is the correct answer, I WON´T JEOPARDIZE MY LIFE, THE LIFE OF OTHERS, THE ENVIRONMENT, THE SHIP, just to get a job, NO WAY!!.

I just starting in the Dynamic Positioning, I need the 30 days familiarization, I took the course at Kongsberg, Houston, last december.

So now after above, WHAT SHOULD I DO?!!!, I am not an American Citizen, ok, but some companies are multinationals, where should I go, any names, any number I can call, WHAT IS THE PROFILE I MOST SHOWN IN ORDER TO GET A JOB?

I am, totally aware of my position, do somebody can guide me in what company accept starting / training JDPO´s?

PLS HELP!!

**knotship** · January 12th, 2009, 11:04 AM

Talk to all the drilling companies that have DP rigs or ships. Most have operations in both the US GoM and in foreign waters. You wouldn't be in the running for a position as a JDPO in US waters since those positions require US citizenship but you could easily be considered for an overseas job. As far as I know all the companies have online applications you can complete.
Best of luck to you and let us know what you find.
cheers

**Mikeganuza** · January 12th, 2009, 06:44 PM

Many thanks Knotship, I am trying on the most positive way, I HOPE TO COME BACK WITH THE MESSAGE I GOT IT!!!!

**knotship** · January 12th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Hello Mike...
just for encouragment. I was going to sea for over 20 years and had been a master for more than 10 when I decided I had to get that damned DP certificate so I could get a crack at the good offshore jobs I was locked out of for lack of the same experience as you. I took a 2nd mate/JDPO position on a ROV support vessel owned by a typical South Louisiana company who's masters had never worked for anybody else anywhere else. I was just about everything those captain's hated. A yankee with a big license and an education. For one year I had to endure continued resentment and being belittled at any opportunity. It was very hard to take but the job was the means to an end which made it possible to see that year through. I got the time for my cert. and got the hell out of there so if you have to do the same, know that you are by far not the first to suck it up for that year.
Yes, please let us know where you end up at.

**captmrb** · January 12th, 2009, 07:10 PM

Mikeganuza,
Further to Knotship's advice... apply to the offshore drillers in the Chief Mate position. All of the applications will say 'DP experience required' but the fact of the matter is that Unlimited Chief Mates are in short supply and it's not always necessary. The companies will pay you to get the training too. Neither C/M on my drillship (or me when I had the job for that matter) has ever sat in the DP chair prior to obtaining the position. That's what DPO's are for! You can learn DP on the job (get up to the control room and on the simulator every chance you get) and decide if it is the way for you or if you'd prefer to progress to Master or Offshore Installation Manager. I quickly checked Transocean's site and they have international C/M openings. SeaDrill has openings for 'Stability Section Leader' which you might qualify for as well.
Another piece of advice is to advertise your language skills. I'm assuming you're fluent in Spanish and English but if you can speak any Portuguese that's a huge bonus too. Brazil and Angola are booming and it helps to have ship's officers who can help with the translations.

**larryfrombarrie** · January 15th, 2009, 04:43 PM

I finish my DP induction course tomorrow and I have been actively looking for JDPO jobs with no success, but one woman at C-mar gave me some interesting advice, most outfits are paying for the use of these vessels, time is money, and they frown upon training new guys because it costs. Try to contact companies that outright own their vessels and you may have more luck.

Also if you are on facebook, there is a fairly new but interesting group for DPO's to share job leads...

sean_hogue@hotmail.com is the administrator.

I will post here if any success, please do the same.

Good Luck.

**Jeffrox** · January 15th, 2009, 10:28 PM

So what's the ball park cost of the DPO intro course at some of the schools in the USA? There are several schools in Manila, Philippines and the cost is around US$1900.

**Capt Brian** · January 16th, 2009, 05:33 AM

The cost is somewhere between $2000 & $3000 for the DPO Induction class. Houston Marine, Beire, Converteam some places that come to mind.

**Mikeganuza** · January 18th, 2009, 07:44 PM

I did my basic course at Kongsberg, Houston, and it cost 2300$, excellent material on my opinion.

**Sharp21** · January 19th, 2009, 11:11 AM

Hello Everyone
I am the administrator of the DP group on Facebook. I haven't had much luck to date in finding placements for 30 day prospects but am always on the lookout for them. I know it can be frustrating, especially for those with Masters papers, but stick with it!
If you wish to join the Facebook group then do a search for:
Dynamic Positioning Operators
and request to join. Send a message through Facebook saying you are from this site & I will accept you immediately.
Regards
S.

**Sandra** · May 25th, 2009, 02:01 AM

Hey that is really sad to here but most jobs require a certain experience. But the problem is how to get experience if you just get a job when you already have experience!?
That is the thing i never understood with job offers.
But I'm sure you will find a good job - but you will have to accept that you get lot of money. Many companies accept voluntaries - that the best way to get experience.
But I'm still trying hard to find the right executive job offer for me.

**Sandra** · May 26th, 2009, 07:20 AM

It is always hard to get a new position and it is a common phenomenon that companies do just accept applications that have at least some yeas of experience.
The only real possibility to get some experience is to do internships or volunteers.
After your once in a company its always easier to get a paid executive position

**gersonsr** · July 17th, 2009, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Mikeganuza

good day all!!!,

Well here I am searching for a starting position, is well know that for anyone searching for a job position, the fisrt question is, "Do you have any experience??", Ironically my answer must be YES! as I have 13 years non stop sailing, I am an unlimited Master Licences national (Venezuela) & Panamanian, all courses required by any administration, Captain in VLCC tankers, sailing worlwide, etc..but as one recruitment ask...."DO YOU HAVE ANY OFFSHORE EXPERIENCE?", Unfortunatelly for me the right answer is "NO", actually is the correct answer, I WON´T JEOPARDIZE MY LIFE, THE LIFE OF OTHERS, THE ENVIRONMENT, THE SHIP, just to get a job, NO WAY!!.

I just starting in the Dynamic Positioning, I need the 30 days familiarization, I took the course at Kongsberg, Houston, last december.

So now after above, WHAT SHOULD I DO?!!!, I am not an American Citizen, ok, but some companies are multinationals, where should I go, any names, any number I can call, WHAT IS THE PROFILE I MOST SHOWN IN ORDER TO GET A JOB?

I am, totally aware of my position, do somebody can guide me in what company accept starting / training JDPO´s?

PLS HELP!!

Verga Miguel, Give me a F call,

Regards

Gerson