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Gunnar Bøthun

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Gunnar Bøthun

Electrical Engineer

Offshore Support Shipping Company

Brief description

I work at the main office of the Offshore Support Shipping Company Solstad Offshore ASA. Located in Skudeneshavn on the Norwegian West Coast, Just north of Stavanger.
The Company has offices in Australia, Brazil, -Scotland and Singapore. And a manning office in the Philippines.
Solstad Offshore is rated one of the best companies in it’s segment worldwide. Read about my company here: http://www.solstad.no/ Myself: Born in 1950 further north on the coast. In a small village by the Sognefjord. Read about my native area here: http://www.sognefjord.no/en/
I work as OVID Coordinator at the office. OVID is a huge database and also an inspection regime owned by the main Oil Companies in the World. My tasks are to regsiter our 50 ships in the database, and maintaiin the information fresh.
I coordinate the inspections required from the Oil Companies, prepare our ships and the superintendents and operation managers responsible for the ship. Receive the reports from the inspections, coordinate the efforts to correct deficiencies discovered within a short span of time .And keep all parties updated on what is going on. I work alone on this, and at the same time participating in different groups, As OVID is about technical, operational, human resources, safety/security, quality and environment. And of course, Management
Read about OVID here: http://www.ocimf-ovid.com/microsite/index.html I have held this position since late 2010. Before that I used to sail on different ships as Electrical Engineer on the company’s vessels. I have worked for this company since August 2002. My education started in the Royal Norwegian Navy in 1971 and contained almost 5 full yeasrs of study until 1981. When I left the Maritime College.

Challenges in job

The main challenge is that this is something new.
A new requirement from the Oil Companies Thus I have practically written my own job instructions and created my position.. And as long as I keep up the good work, there is a good future for my company as well as for me.

Job made easy

In the first place, the help and support from above and below in my company. Most people saw the need to make this work, and helped where necessary. The fact that the only stupid question is the question never asked is important. And my experience in the industry helped me answer quite a few questions myself.

Upcoming trends

In the short term oil will be pumped up from under the seabed as today. Oil from the tarsand and shale in the US and Canada may be a competitor. What worries me though, is the economic problems in the World. And the possibilities for a war around the Persian Gulf.

My point of view

I can only answer that question with a few questions of my own. Because if I had some real aswers to that, I should be in New Dehli, advicing your leaders. Talent you have. Then what about the industries ? Infrastructure ? Financing ? Support and assistance for people with new ideas ? And goal setting ?
I have heard someone in India is working on developing a thorium reactor . A “small” compact unit meant to function as a huge battery. Enough of these, and you may illuminate the World.

My goals

I am approaching retirement, so I just want to do a good job the next years. And to train my replacement in due time.

Advice to professionals

Remember that God gave you one mouth and two ears. So listen twice as much as you speak.

Advice to students

Start out learning the hard and the basic work. From there study and build knowledge and experience.I became first Electrician, later Electrical Engineer. From there I did some courses that helped me into the positon I have now. In other words, avoid shortcuts..