The rig was called "The West Venture" I believe it was scrapped many years ago. The pounding of the waves is hard on steel.

We western oilpeople tend to train our people on the job. When a higher position becomes vacant, someone from the low ranks moves up. Maybe that worker is ready for the promotion, but often he is learning new things in that position.

On this rig, each worker was being trained for the next position up. There were formal courses, and at the end of a 12-hour shift, the workers would put an hour or two into their books.

The higher positions of derrick, driller, and push required a school in Stavanger. The drilling company sent these workers for several weeks of training before they could be formally licensed.

It was a good system.