Bjørnar Otnes

Who are you?
I live near Kristiansund with my cohabitant and three small children.

What was your way like into OKEA?
Previously I travelled the world as an offshore engineer on a ship. However, I have always wanted to work on a production platform, so when OKEA announced there was an open position for a mechanic in 2020, I applied immediately and hoped for the best. Fortunately, I got the job, and it was just like winning the lottery! 

What does a typical working day look like?
A typical day starts with breakfast followed by a morning meeting with the responsible manager and the other mechanics, where we are all assigned duties. This can include maintenance and repair of the technical equipment on board, replacing worn parts and doing various other things. Many of the jobs are planned in advance, but there are also unforeseen things, so no two days are the same. I often work with others, but also alone. During the two weeks I’m on the platform, I’m usually in contact with all departments in OKEA. Then I’m off for four weeks, which is the standard rotation. Working offshore means you get a fair amount of spare time, and we have a lot of activities to choose from. You may of course relax in your cabin, but you can also go to the cinema, play golf in a simulator, exercise and so on. The evenings pass quickly. 

Can you tell us a little bit about why you like working in OKEA?
I work with an amazing group of people, who are both sociable and helpful. We take good care of each other. Socially we are also doing fine, and that’s probably much of the reason why I like it a lot here. Furthermore, it’s exciting to be able to try your hand at so many different things, so the total package is just excellent.

And when you are not working?
I’m used to not going home at 4 p.m., but when I am at home, I spend a lot of time with my family of course. We built a house in 2019, and there are still a few things to do, especially outside. Otherwise I go skiing, hiking – the usual stuff for a Norwegian. It is not always easy to say goodbye to your family at home, but so far I have never dreaded going back to work again.