Xmases that could have been better!
Quote from Cliff_C on December 24, 2024, 8:34 pmI had volunteered to do a derrick inspection on the Pitlun oil rig which is East Russia. I was told it was only going to be 14 days and we were guaranteed to be home for 23rd December. I was quite new to working abroad with the oil industry hence I volunteered because I had never been to Russia, always been trained to view them as the enemy (cold war). So this story happened about 14 years ago. I was working for a rope access company, a derrick inspection, also known as "API 4G" is straight forward, set up the ropes from highest part of rig and slide down and just make sure the derrick is ok. The journey was Aberdeen to London, then to Moscow which took one day by BA. Then it was a two day trip by rail all the way across Russia in a fourth class train, the type you see on old black and white films! Get to freezing cold town on the East coast of Russia the a three hour flight on a "Hound" helicopter to Sahaklin island, then another chopper flight to the rig.
The client KCA, an international (American) company so we (three man RA team) were under the impression that this job would go smoothly. We soon found out that western companies do not call the shots over there. First thing on the rig, we had to hand over our passports to the commissar. The weather was wind and snow and minus 40 centigrade, even the sea is frozen. There was no way that we were going to able to work in that weather. The accommodation was the worst I had experienced on any rig even Africa, even the bunks in Crumlin road were better. The food was just as bad. Day after day went by we were unable to work. We were due to leave on the 20th but on that day the OIM (boss man on rig) said that because the job had been completed we couldn't leave. After many complaints and near riot he confessed that there was nothing he could do as he isn't really in charge of the rig it is the Russian mafia!
Stuck on a flea and rat infested rig, it was so cold that the sea did in fact freeze. Waste of time having life boats on the rig. Xmas day consisted of beetroot soup and main course was burgers and one thing that you never got on British rigs, booze. Boxing day we managed to get the ropes up and we made a start. Couldn't touch any metal in case your skin stuck. We were promised a bonus for being stuck on the rig, we got £30 for xmas day (big deal). Eventually we completed the inspection, got our passports and got home for the 4th January. Lessons learnt, never volunteer, do not work in Russia, if you work offshore never do any 14 day jobs in December if you want to be home for xmas. The inspection was a copy and paste job so that they would let us home!
Merry Xmas all
Cliff
I had volunteered to do a derrick inspection on the Pitlun oil rig which is East Russia. I was told it was only going to be 14 days and we were guaranteed to be home for 23rd December. I was quite new to working abroad with the oil industry hence I volunteered because I had never been to Russia, always been trained to view them as the enemy (cold war). So this story happened about 14 years ago. I was working for a rope access company, a derrick inspection, also known as "API 4G" is straight forward, set up the ropes from highest part of rig and slide down and just make sure the derrick is ok. The journey was Aberdeen to London, then to Moscow which took one day by BA. Then it was a two day trip by rail all the way across Russia in a fourth class train, the type you see on old black and white films! Get to freezing cold town on the East coast of Russia the a three hour flight on a "Hound" helicopter to Sahaklin island, then another chopper flight to the rig.
The client KCA, an international (American) company so we (three man RA team) were under the impression that this job would go smoothly. We soon found out that western companies do not call the shots over there. First thing on the rig, we had to hand over our passports to the commissar. The weather was wind and snow and minus 40 centigrade, even the sea is frozen. There was no way that we were going to able to work in that weather. The accommodation was the worst I had experienced on any rig even Africa, even the bunks in Crumlin road were better. The food was just as bad. Day after day went by we were unable to work. We were due to leave on the 20th but on that day the OIM (boss man on rig) said that because the job had been completed we couldn't leave. After many complaints and near riot he confessed that there was nothing he could do as he isn't really in charge of the rig it is the Russian mafia!
Stuck on a flea and rat infested rig, it was so cold that the sea did in fact freeze. Waste of time having life boats on the rig. Xmas day consisted of beetroot soup and main course was burgers and one thing that you never got on British rigs, booze. Boxing day we managed to get the ropes up and we made a start. Couldn't touch any metal in case your skin stuck. We were promised a bonus for being stuck on the rig, we got £30 for xmas day (big deal). Eventually we completed the inspection, got our passports and got home for the 4th January. Lessons learnt, never volunteer, do not work in Russia, if you work offshore never do any 14 day jobs in December if you want to be home for xmas. The inspection was a copy and paste job so that they would let us home!
Merry Xmas all
Cliff
Quote from jkwebster06 on December 27, 2024, 9:57 pmA great story Cliff, I enjoyed reading that ! My worst Christmas may have been told before ; early December, South Armagh. I was called in to see the Sqn Ldr (Major Stopford) who informed my MQ in Edinburgh had been "attacked", a bonfire lit inside, curtains set on fire, and our baby daughter's cot had broken glass & Milton fluid spread on her mattress. "IRA Rules" was scrawled in huge letters on the walls throughout, in short, a bloody mess ( it took a year before it could be lived in again). Fortunately my wife & daughter were staying in Liverpool. D Sqn were brill with me, arranging a flight home with a car waiting to take me direct to Edinburgh. I was interviewed by Special Branch who wanted me to stress it was "all done by kids" to stop panic among the other families. The next few days were a blur, driving up/down to Liverpool, seeing insurance assessors, SB again (!?!), trying to arrange renewal of our own furniture, etc etc. Because (for the1st time !) I actually had house insurance, the Army said they'd let me claim for my stuff & NOT charge me for the MOD damage - kind of 'em!! Anyway, the days flew by, but I got things sorted the best I could in those few days, and when the insurers & police said all their work was done, I went into camp to report to the REMF Officer i/c Rear Party that I'd done all I could at that stage. He replied "Good - it's Christmas Eve and there's a boat sailing from Liverpool at midnight - be on it "!! He was adamant despite D Sqn Ldr had said "take all the time you need ", & so I had to drive down to Liverpool, say a quick farewell to my wife & daughter & board the midnight ferry to Belfast. My mood was black, & the nearest I've ever been to jacking in the Army for good. I was met on docking next morning with a covert car, and informed that "To keep your mind occupied, you've been made Guard Commander for the day"!! That just about summed up the Army's caring attitude at the time - nowadays I bet a squaddie would get a weeks compassionate leave. Happy Days ? Not all of 'em were LOL. John (JKW)
A great story Cliff, I enjoyed reading that ! My worst Christmas may have been told before ; early December, South Armagh. I was called in to see the Sqn Ldr (Major Stopford) who informed my MQ in Edinburgh had been "attacked", a bonfire lit inside, curtains set on fire, and our baby daughter's cot had broken glass & Milton fluid spread on her mattress. "IRA Rules" was scrawled in huge letters on the walls throughout, in short, a bloody mess ( it took a year before it could be lived in again). Fortunately my wife & daughter were staying in Liverpool. D Sqn were brill with me, arranging a flight home with a car waiting to take me direct to Edinburgh. I was interviewed by Special Branch who wanted me to stress it was "all done by kids" to stop panic among the other families. The next few days were a blur, driving up/down to Liverpool, seeing insurance assessors, SB again (!?!), trying to arrange renewal of our own furniture, etc etc. Because (for the1st time !) I actually had house insurance, the Army said they'd let me claim for my stuff & NOT charge me for the MOD damage - kind of 'em!! Anyway, the days flew by, but I got things sorted the best I could in those few days, and when the insurers & police said all their work was done, I went into camp to report to the REMF Officer i/c Rear Party that I'd done all I could at that stage. He replied "Good - it's Christmas Eve and there's a boat sailing from Liverpool at midnight - be on it "!! He was adamant despite D Sqn Ldr had said "take all the time you need ", & so I had to drive down to Liverpool, say a quick farewell to my wife & daughter & board the midnight ferry to Belfast. My mood was black, & the nearest I've ever been to jacking in the Army for good. I was met on docking next morning with a covert car, and informed that "To keep your mind occupied, you've been made Guard Commander for the day"!! That just about summed up the Army's caring attitude at the time - nowadays I bet a squaddie would get a weeks compassionate leave. Happy Days ? Not all of 'em were LOL. John (JKW)
Quote from Cliff_C on December 29, 2024, 7:53 pmJohn, there were times that there was some caring in the army. You and your wife visited me in BMH Rinteln. That was certainly out of the blue. If I only knew then what I know now! I would sue the army and make a fortune!! The reason I was in hospital, was about an hour before endex of the FTX. I went to stand on the safety rail in the turret so that I could reach Brin Evens (commander) coffee mug to make him a brew. At that exact moment, the gunner Shuggie Bourne decided to traverse the turret. Now, normally that wouldn't be a problem but the tank had just returned from workshops having had the latest mod which included removing half the safety rail which resulted in my leg getting mangled. I can still see Shuggies look when I screamed and fortunately had the experience to flick the emergency stop lever by the loaders hatch. I can also still hear the crunch of bone like an egg shell. The leg just felt hot and no pain until I stood up and the bones connected, very very sore, like burning electric shock going through my body. I was sent to the aid post in the 432 ambulance, Pete ..... was the driver and Chalkie Whyte the medic/cmdr. Chalkie wasnt a good map reader so we got lost. When we did get to the RAP, the doctor gave me a sip from his water bottle (whisky) and some morphine. No pain after that and then into the L/R to BMH. So back to the caring, it didnt matter what the reason, my SSM paid me a visit, thank you.
Have a Good New Year
Cliff
John, there were times that there was some caring in the army. You and your wife visited me in BMH Rinteln. That was certainly out of the blue. If I only knew then what I know now! I would sue the army and make a fortune!! The reason I was in hospital, was about an hour before endex of the FTX. I went to stand on the safety rail in the turret so that I could reach Brin Evens (commander) coffee mug to make him a brew. At that exact moment, the gunner Shuggie Bourne decided to traverse the turret. Now, normally that wouldn't be a problem but the tank had just returned from workshops having had the latest mod which included removing half the safety rail which resulted in my leg getting mangled. I can still see Shuggies look when I screamed and fortunately had the experience to flick the emergency stop lever by the loaders hatch. I can also still hear the crunch of bone like an egg shell. The leg just felt hot and no pain until I stood up and the bones connected, very very sore, like burning electric shock going through my body. I was sent to the aid post in the 432 ambulance, Pete ..... was the driver and Chalkie Whyte the medic/cmdr. Chalkie wasnt a good map reader so we got lost. When we did get to the RAP, the doctor gave me a sip from his water bottle (whisky) and some morphine. No pain after that and then into the L/R to BMH. So back to the caring, it didnt matter what the reason, my SSM paid me a visit, thank you.
Have a Good New Year
Cliff