Meet Ana Fernandes-Wilson, a graduate engineer carving her path in the dynamic world of Aberdeen's oil and gas industry. As she takes us through her offshore adventures, Ana shares insights on navigating the seas, representing women in a traditionally male-oriented industry, and finding moments of comfort amidst the waves.
The day kicks off early, usually around 5 am, for my 6-6 shift. Offshore life can feel like a robotically rhythmic routine during the 12-hour stints, but it's an interesting mix to work between home, office, and the open sea. My attire of choice? Comfy tracksuits, a wise shift from the initial choice of leggings as I learned quickly that wearing anything tight is not the way to go. Norwegian weather however demands the cosiest of jumpers.
Navigating womanhood offshore presents its unique challenges. Periods call for practicality, so I opt for pads, accompanied by the comforting friend that is a hot water bottle—a subtle rebellion against the sea's indifference to cramps and hormonal nuances. Basic hygiene needs require an extra ask for a bathroom bin, a testament to the spaces not exactly designed with females in mind.
A daily highlight amid the challenges is the onboard feast. The free meals are something to keep in mind when negativity overtakes you onboard as the food that is offered really is fantastic, it makes the fatigue and long hours feel worthwhile. Easter dinners, cooked breakfasts, pancakes, and cereal choices—my vivid descriptions make it sound like such a fancy affair, but the chefs deserve the credit.
As I have worked solely on diving boats so far, my main responsibility is ensuring the safety of divers and making quick decisions when things take an unexpected turn, but obviously, we hope they don't.
Post-shift, downtime kicks in with onboard amenities like gyms, TV rooms, and pool tables. It's basically like a not-so-glamorous cruise. Using the gym just isn't my choice of relaxation. Think about a treadmill but it's moving, not a fun time. I tried it once but there's just no way it's happening again. The offshore Wi-Fi situation, unfortunately, mirrors the isolation that can accompany being in the middle of the ocean with unsociable shifts. Trying to sync with the world becomes a challenge, especially if a night shift is on the menu and your waking hours barely overlap with loved ones.
My routine extends to self-care, embracing a skincare routine amidst the unpredictable offshore conditions. The aircon and occasional state of stress are combatted with face masks, a small but comforting act amid the fatigue. A jelly cat and t-shirt borrowed from my boyfriend join me for the night, giving a trace of familiarity and a small touch of home.
As the day wraps up, I head to bed, repeating the cycle—one step closer to my dream of becoming a project engineer, breaking barriers, and paving the way for more women to take charge in this demanding yet rewarding industry.
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