What makes a good freelance surveyor?

It is usually the simplest of questions that are the hardest to answer, another one of life’s ironies. Because if running an agency for a few years has taught me one thing, it is that one mans gold is another mans trash. However, if I had to describe the qualities I believe make a good freelance surveyor, I’d like to think I’m well placed to have a stab at it.

The first thing I’d say is turn up to shift early, especially when you’re relieving someone from their first couple night shifts and sleep deprivation is making someone question their life choices. That simple act of being early means your opposite can get off shift (provided Armageddon isn’t in full flow) on time having given you a full handover.

Next, I’d say is the ability to problem solve and use critical thinking. No matter how good your survey engineer was when he mobbed the kit, something will break. No matter what time of day or night you don’t have the luxury of popping out to PC world and grabbing a spare lead, so you better get good at figuring out where the problem is and what to do about it (quickly)……if in doubt blame ROV.

Another thing I find good freelancers have in common is the ability to work multiple roles with multiple software’s. Like a good swiss army knife or a trusted Leatherman, they are just bloody useful. This ties in well with problem solving as they’ve seen how things work from multiple perspectives and this helps when analysing problems. 

The ability to take things in their stride is also something we see as similar thread with our top freelancers. Being able to stride onto a new vessel with a completely new set up month in month out means they can handle whatever the industry throws at them, they don’t really have a comfort zone. Being prepared to work your butt off always goes down well, remember you’re the prima donna on the rock star day rates (well, that is what the staff guys think anyways and try convincing them otherwise) so you’d best be leading by example and showing people why you deserve what you’re paid. It’s not rocket science but if you’ve not fixed that issue you’ve been working on for half your shift, maybe skip the gym that evening and hang around for a couple hours – believe me it will be acknowledged and appreciated.

The last thing I’d say is probably the most important, just be nice to people. I’m not just talking just about your opposite or the survey team. I’m talking about everyone from the skipper right down to the chap cleaning your cabin (you bloody prima donna). You’re offshore and away from your family and friends and so is everyone else. It’s as hard on you as it is on others so by taking the time to learn a few names and share a few stories instead of disappearing to your cabin to binge another series makes it a better experience for everyone.

No matter how good you are at calibrating the multibeam or knowing all the tricks on AutoCAD – if you’re an arsehole, they won’t ask you to come back.