In October 2022, Robbie Robson, a British offshore worker, departed for an eight-week contract in Qatar's oilfields, seeking a more lucrative and stable position piloting remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Despite the allure of the job, Robson struggled with the emotional toll of being away from his family and home in South Tyneside. He maintained connection through WhatsApp, sharing sunsets from the Seafox Burj rig in the Persian Gulf. His cabin shared with fellow workers presented both camaraderie and challenges, particularly following the replacement of cabin mates due to illness.
When he first arrived on the Burj, he was surprised to learn that he was to be sharing a cabin with two other men... One of the men, Christopher Begley, 38, was a rosy-cheeked chap from Scotland. They got on well, bonding over football.
Robson hated being away, but stayed connected to Graham and his friends over WhatsApp. From his vantage point in the middle of the Gulf, he'd take photos of dramatic sunsets and send them to Graham.
It was an attractive opportunity... pursuing safer and more lucrative positions piloting the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that are used to monitor underwater structures.
Until then, his home would be the Seafox Burj, a three-legged jack-up rig planted in the shallow waters of the Al-Shaheen oil field, 80km from land.
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