Message

Delphine, 8 June 2007
Australia , Timor Sea

The Australian Job

From 24/04 to 28/05: my very first offshore job consists of a soil investigation in a gas field (mean water depth = 250 m). I'm on board of the Markab with 37 other people from many different nationalities (mainly Dutch and Australian). Herewith the link to have a look on the vessel's characteristics:
http://www.fugro.com/geotechnical/offshore/drillship.asp. I am part of the day shift, which involves 12 working hours (from midday to midnight) 7 days/7. Althought the sea is very smooth, I get seasickness during the sailing time. For some strange reason I feel good during the 2 days of weather standby (waves of 2-3 m high...can be 15 m in the North Sea !).
Looking at the sea life was sort of a national sport on board since being surrounded by water can be pretty boring after a while. Besides the jellyfishes, flying fishes, sharks and dolphin fishes, we are lucky enough to recover on board a sea snake. Also we've got clandestine passengers such as a big spider, a giant colourful cockroach and some beautiful butterflies.
In total I spend 3 evenings on the continent, among them, 2 clubbing nights both in Broome and Perth. Perth is the main city of Western Australia and makes a nice transition before being back to Europe because automnal temperatures range from 15-22°C, while Broome records some 35°C.

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