What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Progression through the IMCA ROV-personnel competence framework: Pilot Technician II → I → Senior → Supervisor, with logbook-recorded hours and tasks (the sector's reference scheme).
- Technical base: electronics, hydraulics or electromechanics (higher vocational/engineering), mastering the installed work-class system (Schilling, SMD or other — indicative per unit).
- BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS, offshore medical and A-VI/1 per flag.
Basic STCW
- A-VI/1
- OPITO BOSIET
Specific courses
- Simultaneous-operations (SIMOPS) management with drilling and diving; permit matrix
- LARS, tether and umbilical maintenance; vehicle hydraulics and high voltage
- Intervention: torque tools, hot stabs and fine manipulation on BOPs and trees
- Client reporting: video eventing, as-builts and inspection records
Indicative experience
Indicative: at least 5 years as ROV pilot/technician with recorded progression to senior, plus experience across vehicles and tasks (inspection, drill support, construction) before supervising.
Observations
Usually employed by the subsea contractor (Oceaneering, Fugro, DOF — sector examples) embedded on the unit. Progression: Supervisor → Superintendent → shore ROV operations manager. The IMCA logbook is the trade's professional currency.
What this role does
Plans and directs all the unit's ROV operations: approves dive plans, assigns pilots per shift, watches the weather-and-current window, manages vehicle and LARS maintenance and signs off to the client on video, data and intervention quality. In simultaneous operations with diving or drilling, his coordination is a safety barrier.
Typical watches
- ROV shift management
Key responsibilities
- Planning and supervision of all ROV missions.
- Management of the pilot-technician team and operational shifts.
- Coordination with the drilling team for BOP operations and inspection.
- Data quality assurance and inspection videos.
- Maintenance of the complete ROV system in operational condition.
Operational scope
- Control ROV
- Coordination with bridge and drilling
- All MODU subsea 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.