AK350Z Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 This is hopefully the one that's going to get me that Zed! Previously i've mostly been an industrial electrician, minus a three year break at Uni to study aircraft enginnering. That didn't work out; cheers 9/11! I have been in training for a couple of months, getting all the basics out the way so i can go offshore to these: They are currently building a windfarm in the Solway Firth http://www.eon-uk.com/generation/robinrigg.aspx, and being a local lad, I jumped at the chance! There's not a lot going on round here, and not everyone wants to work a Sellafield! Saftey training complete, the company is sending me and my fellow trainees to various other sites to gain experience while our site is being built. My initial placement has been in Holland, unfortunatly for the past two weeks we have been weathered off! Yesterday however, the swell abated long enough for us to get out for the first time. Dropping off: All the gear was offloaded to the Turbine We are basically shadowing experienced crews on their regular work, learn by doing, as they say. The turbine nacelle is 90m above the platform, and its a long old climb, of course you are clipped on to a fall arrest rail, but a rest break was required halfway! To Work in the nacelle: Its rather tight in there with 4-5 blokes! At the back, there's a hatch in the floor to hoist stuff up. Its a proper black hole! I spent most of the moring crawling about in the hub, its a bit like being in the space ship - no windows, and everything looks the same no matter which way round you are! Access was rather tight: Working space little better! In the afternoon, the weather improved, and i could go and top up the coolant. Via the roof! It took a few minutes to get used to that, i can tell you! Standing on a flexing fiberglass roof, with a breeze and a slack line. The views were amazing though: Little bit of video: http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg70/AK350Z/Offshore/?action=view¤t=MVI_2163.flv 5pm and it was time to go home: I think i might get used to this! Dispite having to sit around for two weeks beforehand Can't help the weather though i suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lomoto Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 you couldnt pay me enough to get out there that high up...whatever your getting paid you deserve double Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavey Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 GOOD LUCK MATE THE Z IS WORTH IT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Nice one bud, if you need any boats let me know, have a few knocking about locally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macca Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I'm an electrician and I really do fancy getting out of the domestic side and into something more like what you're doing. What kind of work is involved? Is it purely maintenance? My apprenticeship involved domestic work, but I also had alot of experience in industrial, factories etc and also commercial builds, office blocks and what not. So this would mean as far as a maintenance side is concerned I would know very little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySpak Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Nice post I like seeing what other people do, especially when its so far removed from my day to day life. I've often wondered what goes on at the top of one of those things too... I look forward to seeing pics of your Zed soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanski Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 WOW!!! Thats what you call a job! Oh I do feel sea sick just looking at those pictures.. excellent photography mate - never mind doing electrical stuff get taking more pics and send them into the Digital phot mags - they pay you £130 if its published - that will buy you one clear reflector for your Zed for a start! Good luck with the job and don't forget to pick up your cream bun from Stan's Cake shop emporium when I start it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 I'm an electrician and I really do fancy getting out of the domestic side and into something more like what you're doing. What kind of work is involved? Is it purely maintenance? My apprenticeship involved domestic work, but I also had alot of experience in industrial, factories etc and also commercial builds, office blocks and what not. So this would mean as far as a maintenance side is concerned I would know very little. Its mostly maintenance and installing modifications, if you have done an aprenticeship you'll be fine. Out of the 15 of us that started about two thirds are electricians in one form or another, and the rest are fitters. The company dosn't do seperate trades though - you're expected to do both electrical and mechanical work, as there is usually only 2 guys working on the turbine. Although we have one lad who did PLC's and elecronics who's never touched anything above 12Vdc! There are loads of offshore windfarms planned, especially on the east coast! http://www.bwea.com/ukwed/offshore.asp Google them - most sites have their own website. I just applied to an ad in the local paper! Sorry Martin, theres two boats on order for us already! Incidentally, i may yet get a placement at the Barrow site, i'll let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 Nice post I like seeing what other people do, especially when its so far removed from my day to day life. I've often wondered what goes on at the top of one of those things too... I know what you mean, i check the site every day, but what i'm really looking for are new picture threads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Already tried to get the contract bud, cant win them all. Will pop up and catch you sometime. Have you decided what you want yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 Yep, definatly a 350Z! Sorry! yeah, what the hell - red nismo'd non-gt. Boats under construction, don't remember whos doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
live2themaxuk Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 What kinda power to these things generate then? they look mighty impressive, great post Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySpak Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Sorry! yeah, what the hell - red nismo'd non-gt. Possibly the rarest combination going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 What kinda power to these things generate then? they look mighty impressive, great post Jamie 3MW each from 5kts to about 25kts wind. 90meter blade span - a 747 has a 64m wingspan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 Sorry! yeah, what the hell - red nismo'd non-gt. Possibly the rarest combination going? Yeah! was hoping to get a new one though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 http://www.bestpricecar.com/asp/index.a ... 0313%203dr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 http://www.bestpricecar.com/asp/index.asp?lnk=202&make=NISSAN&capid=37161&desc=NISSAN%20350Z%20COUPE%203.5%20V6%20313%203dr I see they are saying the black option is Ebisu but then I thought Nissan had reverted to Kuro. Can anyone clarify just what black paint they are using on the latest 350's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 nice post. good to see what others do for a living. Best of luck with getting your Z soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzee Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 So when it's really rough out there, ie a major cyclone, the turbines, must just about be under water. Fascinating picys!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macca Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I'm an electrician and I really do fancy getting out of the domestic side and into something more like what you're doing. What kind of work is involved? Is it purely maintenance? My apprenticeship involved domestic work, but I also had alot of experience in industrial, factories etc and also commercial builds, office blocks and what not. So this would mean as far as a maintenance side is concerned I would know very little. Its mostly maintenance and installing modifications, if you have done an aprenticeship you'll be fine. Out of the 15 of us that started about two thirds are electricians in one form or another, and the rest are fitters. The company dosn't do seperate trades though - you're expected to do both electrical and mechanical work, as there is usually only 2 guys working on the turbine. Although we have one lad who did PLC's and elecronics who's never touched anything above 12Vdc! There are loads of offshore windfarms planned, especially on the east coast! http://www.bwea.com/ukwed/offshore.asp Google them - most sites have their own website. I just applied to an ad in the local paper! Sorry Martin, theres two boats on order for us already! Incidentally, i may yet get a placement at the Barrow site, i'll let you know. Yeah I did a full apprenticeship, been qualified for nearly a year now. I want another year or two experience before I leave though as I'm comfortable at the moment. The mechanical side would interest me as although I am qualified, it's more the installation side the interests me than the technical side if you follow me I was thinking about going on the oil rigs or possibly even the research bases at the south pole. Only problem with the latter is it is about £25k a year, although it is tax free, it's not very much for spending most of your year with penguins and polar bears. I'll definately look into this in the future, pictures make it look fascinating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 being offshore, how good's the reception on the tv in the turbine's canteen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmmackfc Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Well sure as hell beats sittin in an office 9-5, 5 days a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Well sure as hell beats sittin in an office 9-5, 5 days a week wasn't being critical, just joking. in all honesty, i would love to have a job that's different to the humdrum. you could never imagine as a kid that one day you'd work somewhere like that, and i bet it's a good topic of conversation when someone asks 'what do you do for a living?' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beavis Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I'm an electrician and I really do fancy getting out of the domestic side and into something more like what you're doing. What kind of work is involved? Is it purely maintenance? My apprenticeship involved domestic work, but I also had alot of experience in industrial, factories etc and also commercial builds, office blocks and what not. So this would mean as far as a maintenance side is concerned I would know very little. Its mostly maintenance and installing modifications, if you have done an aprenticeship you'll be fine. Out of the 15 of us that started about two thirds are electricians in one form or another, and the rest are fitters. The company dosn't do seperate trades though - you're expected to do both electrical and mechanical work, as there is usually only 2 guys working on the turbine. Although we have one lad who did PLC's and elecronics who's never touched anything above 12Vdc! There are loads of offshore windfarms planned, especially on the east coast! http://www.bwea.com/ukwed/offshore.asp Google them - most sites have their own website. I just applied to an ad in the local paper! Sorry Martin, theres two boats on order for us already! Incidentally, i may yet get a placement at the Barrow site, i'll let you know. Yeah I did a full apprenticeship, been qualified for nearly a year now. I want another year or two experience before I leave though as I'm comfortable at the moment. The mechanical side would interest me as although I am qualified, it's more the installation side the interests me than the technical side if you follow me I was thinking about going on the oil rigs or possibly even the research bases at the south pole. Only problem with the latter is it is about £25k a year, although it is tax free, it's not very much for spending most of your year with penguins and polar bears. I'll definately look into this in the future, pictures make it look fascinating I am a industrial electrician too, have been for 28 years Did a five year apprenticeship. The only thing i have noticed today is that the apprenticeships seem to be about 3 year's now and they get a better qualification than i ever got, yet the apprentice's we have don't seem to have a clue when it come's to hands on experience But like you say they have to do both mechanical and electrical. Mainly do plc's myself today and that is just not fault finding them, i build complete systems from the ground up and write the programmes. Experienced in Mitsubishi, Square D, Siemens S5 and S7 and do HMI and SCADA work too, but also change the odd light bulb, or replace the odd 500 horse power motor. Look's like you have an interesting job here and nice pic's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted March 17, 2008 Author Share Posted March 17, 2008 being offshore, how good's the reception on the tv in the turbine's canteen? We do have wireless internet access though! we have to bring our own kettle/microwave/georgeformangrill I am a industrial electrician too, have been for 28 years Did a five year apprenticeship. The only thing i have noticed today is that the apprenticeships seem to be about 3 year's now and they get a better qualification than i ever got, yet the apprentice's we have don't seem to have a clue when it come's to hands on experience But like you say they have to do both mechanical and electrical. Don't worry, I reckon your apprenticeship was better than mine, there's no substitute for time spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.