First Steps Offshore: Rob Hanlon’s Journey from Graduate to Surveying

After completing his hydrography degree at the University of Plymouth, Rob Hanlon took his first steps into offshore surveying — a move driven by curiosity, determination, and a long-standing interest in the ocean.

Alongside working at a local dive centre, he actively sought trainee opportunities before joining Elevate Offshore to begin his offshore career.

With a background as a scuba diving instructor, the move offshore felt like a natural progression. As Rob put it, he “jumped at the chance” to begin his career in offshore surveying.

First Impressions Offshore

Arriving on board early in the morning as the vessel was taking on stores, Rob was immediately introduced to the pace of offshore life. After handovers and inductions, he quickly began to settle into the environment.

Despite it being his first trip, and much of the equipment being new, he found the transition smoother than expected.

“What surprised me most was how quickly I felt part of the team,” he explained. “Everyone was helpful and patient, which made the experience far less daunting.”

Gaining Hands-On Experience

Once on site, Rob became involved in day-to-day survey operations. His role included maintaining detailed logs of vessel activity and supporting coordination between the bridge and ROV team during operations such as target approaches and boulder grabs.

Working across shifts with two different surveyors gave him valuable exposure to different ways of working, helping to build both confidence and understanding early on.

Learning and Developing Offshore

As with any first trip, there was a learning curve, particularly when working with unfamiliar equipment in a live environment. While his academic background provided a solid foundation, applying that knowledge offshore required adaptability.

“There’s still plenty more to learn,” Rob shared, highlighting the importance of asking questions, taking notes and staying open to new experiences.”

Looking Ahead

Completing his first offshore trip has already had a strong impact on his confidence and career direction. He now feels more assured in his ability to adapt to offshore life and contribute as part of a team.

“It’s given me confidence that I can contribute and build from here.”

With his first offshore assignment now behind him, Rob is focused on continuing to develop and progress within the industry.

Advice for Getting Started

For anyone looking to follow a similar path, Rob keeps it simple:

“Be prepared to not know everything on day one but be willing to learn.”

Interested in Starting Your Career in Hydrography?

At Elevate Offshore, we support people taking their first steps into the offshore survey industry, from graduates entering their first roles to students progressing through the MSc Hydrography programme at the University of Plymouth.

Through the Elevate Offshore MSc Hydrography Scholarship, we also support emerging talent earlier in their journey, helping students gain the skills, experience and industry insight needed to progress from study into employment.

Find out more about the MSc Hydrography programme and how to apply:
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/msc-hydrography

If you’re looking for your next opportunity offshore, get in touch with our team at [email protected].