MTL Supports the Next Generation

FPSO integrity management and repair specialists, Marine Technical Limits (MTL) has been supporting the next generation of engineers and naval architects for more than 15 years but more recently its effort to invest in young graduates have taken an international turn.

Since its inception, MTL has invested heavily in the development of graduates from local and national universities. Every summer a handful of students arrive at the office door to take on a summer internship and many have successfully gained employment with the firm’s specialist team.

However, at the start of the year, the team welcomed a student from Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. Johns, Canada. Victoria Strickland, a fourth-year student studying Naval Architecture, arrived in Aberdeen, Scotland in February to carry out a technical internship, working with MTL’s vastly experienced and dedicated naval architecture team.

Lead Naval Architect for MTL Ian Stewart said: “We were delighted to welcome Victoria to our Kintore headquarters, it was a great opportunity for both Victoria and MTL.

“We have worked with the oil and gas industry in Newfoundland, Canada for more than 15 years now, supporting FPSO operators and owners with their floating production operations, including providing structural integrity management and on-station repair services.

“We were delighted to have the opportunity to partake in this initiative and continue to expand our long-standing relationship with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and to develop the next generation of Naval Architect’s both nationally and internationally.”

While at MTL Victoria oversaw the processes in place to deliver structural integrity management and repairs to FPSO and FSUs for oil and gas operators, and her opinions were welcomed by the team. However, Victoria’s internship in the UK was disrupted due to the ongoing global Coronavirus pandemic.

Projects Director Calum MacLean said: “Sadly in March we became aware of the seriousness of the Covid-19 crisis and we made every effort to ensure Victoria was at home with her family before the UK and wider world went into lockdown.

“To ensure our employees, projects and our organization is maintaining momentum we have business contingency plans in place to ensure our clients receive the same exceptional standard of work.

“With that in mind, we realized that Victoria could still contribute to our organisation and complete her internship from her home in Bonavista, Newfoundland. We supplied her with a laptop and gave her access to our systems to allow her to continue to deliver work and allow us to support and mentor her, continuing to develop her skills, albeit in a very different way.”

During this time Victoria is working with MTLs naval architects to gain an understanding of the work they carry out for FPSO owners and operators worldwide, including:

• Understanding of FPSO hull design and construction
• Fundamental aspects of structural integrity management of FPSOs
• Practical and safety aspects of carrying out hull structural repairs on FPSOs

Victoria, who is 22-years-old, said: “MTL is a great work placement. The atmosphere in the office is very welcoming and everyone is incredibly helpful. Even before the work term started, Ian was a great help in getting me prepared for the move to the United Kingdom.

“I was devastated to learn of the Coronavirus and how it was sadly impacting so many people throughout the world, and I became anxious to return home to family when I learned of the seriousness of the situation. MTL’s team worked effortlessly to ensure I flew home before the situation escalated and I was delighted when they said I was able to continue my placement from my home in Canada.

“I hope to return to the office one day to give the whole team a much-appreciated thank you for their help, guidance and for the experience I have received. It has been invaluable for my personal and professional development.”

Victoria isn’t the first Canadian student the team has worked with. Last year MTL employed Caitlin Whitten, a naval architecture graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Memorial University. Caitlin has now been with the company for over a year and is a much-valued member of the team.

Pat Sullivan, Academic Staff Member in Co-operative Education at Memorial University said: “Victoria’s placement at MTL has allowed her to learn real world skills that are valuable to her career as a Naval Architectural Engineer. Giving her relevant tasks builds technical skills as well and self-confidence. The team at MTL seems to have embraced her and made her a part of the team which makes the placement even more valuable.

“Learning skills, such as 3D modelling and structural integrity, opens many doors for students and helps them understand the kind of work they might want to do when they graduate. This placement has also allowed Victoria to experience things from multiple perspectives, which will allow her to become a better engineer.

“Also, giving Victoria real work and mentorship has provided her with skills to help her succeed. It also instils a desire to do the same later in her career when she can be the mentor. This circle of success ensures strength of the profession.”

MTL is a specialist FPSO integrity and repair management company, providing structural integrity management, on-station FPSO repair, naval architectural and equipment solutions. MTL’s unique approach to delivering safety, value, and quality is founded upon a deep understanding of the specific needs of FPSO operators and the motivation to find the best solution for their clients.