What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Technical training in pneumatics, hydraulics or industrial mechanics (vocational diploma or equivalent), fluent with precision tooling.
- OEM training on the installed source system (Sercel, Teledyne Bolt or other — indicative per vessel) delivered by the seismic contractor.
- Sign-on: STCW A-VI/1 Basic Training, medical certificate and offshore survival per flag and client (BOSIET where required — indicative).
Basic STCW
- Basic Safety Training STCW A-VI/1
Specific courses
- High-pressure air: compressors, bottles, hoses and hydrostatic testing
- Work permits, LOTO and safe depressurising before gun work
- Source timing and signature: near-field, gun hydrophones and shot QC
- Mammal-mitigation procedures: soft-start/ramp-up per JNCC or local-regulator guidelines
Indicative experience
Indicative: 1-2 campaigns as back-deck assistant before source watch responsibility; gun mechanics is learned aboard on the vessel's specific system.
Observations
Works in direct coordination with seismic navigation and the MMO/PAM team, who can order a source shutdown. Rotations of 5/5 or 6/6 weeks are typical in seismic (indicative). Progression: assistant → gunner → Chief Gunner / Source Leader → back-deck chief.
What this role does
Maintains and operates the seismic source: towed air-gun arrays firing at 2,000-3,000 psi in millisecond synchrony. Arms and tests the guns, monitors pressures, umbilicals and signature sensors, executes the soft-start agreed with the marine-mammal observers and repairs high-pressure elements on a wet back deck — any timing or pressure drift degrades the seismic data of the whole line.
Typical watches
- Synchronized shifts with seismic lines and shooting windows
Key responsibilities
- Operate and maintain the air cannons that generate the seismic source.
- Monitor pressure, pneumatics, manifold and firing sequence.
- Verify that the exclusion zone is free of fauna or vessels when applicable.
- Resolve incidents with valves, hoses and compressed air distribution.
Operational scope
- seismic deck
- High pressure air systems
- Geophysical acquisition operations
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.