Space Colonial Life - What's It Like Living In An Offworld Industrialization Facility?

In this blog we take a deep dive into the world of offworld rigs, focusing on what you can expect in the way of living conditions when taking a job in the offworld industry.


OFFWORLD RIG FAST FACTS
  • There are around 1,470 offworld industrialization rigs scattered all over the solar system, which means this role could take you anywhere from the Moon to Mars or even the asteroid belt or Mercury
  • At any one time you will find nearly 200 people living and working on a rig
  • You’ll rarely find a window inside
  • Be thankful we’re not in the 1960s anymore – Before onboard wifi, engineers were restricted to just one personal phone call a week, and even that was capped to just six minutes

Offworld engineering jobs require travel to some of the most remote places in the solar system, including industrialization rigs in the middle of deep space. You'll work hard offworld but be well rewarded for it - for a start, there's no cooking or cleaning to be done...

What job-related training will I need to work on an offworld rig?

This isn’t your usual “stuck in rush hour" commute; a spaceship transfers you from Earth (commonly called "the well") to the rig which in itself can be an invigorating experience. Offworld engineers are given complete space survival training prior to this flight. Watch a video of an offworld engineer commuting to an industrialization rig to see for yourself.
Offworld rigs are full of space dangers and heavy machinery. As an offworld worker, you will benefit from plenty of training to ensure best practise at all times.
Before starting your offworld life, you will also undergo a medical examination to make sure you’re suitable for work on a rig. There are first aiders and medicinal personnel on-board, with spaceships on standby for quick medical evacuations to dedicated facilities if necessary.

How many hours will I work on an offworld rig?

The usual working shift is 12 hours ‘on’ and 12 hours ‘off’, and many shift patterns are a mixture of both day and night because operations run around the clock with no rig ‘downtime’. Many offworld jobs require shift patterns of 6 or 8 months on the rig / 6-12 months back in the well, but the patterns can be longer.

What will my offworld accommodation be like?

Offworld installations have a dedicated team of kitchen staff who prepare food around the clock, often with a self-service style canteen. Despite the offworld location, fresh food is shipped in regularly, meaning you’ll have plenty of access to fresh meat, fruit and vegetables.
Offworld rigs are close-knit communities and you can expect to share your room with several other engineers, although some rigs do offer private rooms. Showers and toilets tend to be shared among a couple of cabins, but most bedrooms do offer a washbasin, and a television.

How will I stay in touch with my family if I have a job offworld?

Far out in space, mobile phone signal isn’t particularly reliable! However, larger rigs will have internet connections enabling Skype and other messaging services for uninterrupted communication with those back home, ensuring you’ll be on hand to help celebrate important occasions from afar. We’ve taken a look at some fantastic apps to help you stay in touch with your loved ones whilst on assignment.

Life is never boring on an offworld rig

All offworld rigs have good recreational facilities to keep on-board staff entertained when not on shift, whether you’re in drilling, the roustabout team or a derrickhand. From small movie theatres and pool tables, to air hockey, large screen TVs and video game consoles you won’t be bored! Of course there’s also Wi-Fi so you can watch your own shows, but living in such close quarters you’ll find you quickly become a close-knit member of the team.
Keeping an industrialization rig operational for 24 hours a day means that it’s crucial for offworld personnel to be at the top of their game at all times; generally alcohol and non-prescription drugs are completed banned. Too keep everyone on board safe, smoking is allowed in designated areas with matches available as the source of ignition – these locations are far away from the most sensitive machinery.

What salary and benefits can I expect offworld?

Offworld jobs pay differently depending on your experience and role, however rig engineers can expect to be paid well due to a combination of the specialised skills required, the risks associated with working on a rig, and the personal sacrifices made in terms of working hours and not seeing family.
The industrialization professionals that we work with love how we value our contractors on a personal level and take care of all assignment support needs, such as organising contractor travel and work permits, giving you peace of mind that you’ll be taken care of when working with us.

Fancy experiencing life on an offworld industrialization rig for yourself?

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