Scaling New Heights
McKnight taking safety seriously on the rig
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com

Reginald McKnight puts safety rescue techniques to the test during his recent training in Louisiana. McKnight is certified to perform confined space and highangle rope rescue in case of any emergencies on board the drill ship where he works as a roughneck. The drill ship is located 2 1/2 hours from shore in the Gulf of Mexico in about 10,000 feet of water. Contributed Photos

Reginald McKnight of El Campo is scaling new heights in an effort to save lives. Working aboard a drill ship located in 10,000 feet of water and 2 1/2 hours from dry land, safety measures are a must.

As a roughneck who has been working on a drill ship for Transocean Drilling of Houston for the past five years, McKnight is trained to rescue victims in an emergency situation aboard the vessel.

Luckily, there have been no emergency cases since he has been employed by the company. But just in case, McKnight and several other co-workers are trained to rescue victims in confined spaces and high places. McKnight completed two courses, each 40 hours, with Roco Rescue in Baton Rouge, La. recently.

"It was exciting. I received hands-on training and learned how to rescue a victim in high places." - Reginald McKnight

Roco also offers emergency training in tower rescue, firefighter personal escape, trench and structural collapse and tactical rescue. They also address the safe running of refineries, chemical processing and other manufacturing sites through their training techniques.

"It was exciting," said McKnight, who has no fear of heights. "I received hands-on training and learned how to rescue a victim in high places."

The first course included the basics of knot-tying, rigging, rappelling, self-rescue, hauling and lowering systems, patient packaging and third-man rescue. Rescue II certification went a step further by adding more advanced techniques such as line transfers, advanced rigging and more. This particular program provided scenarios for rescuing victims. Each course also complies with OSHA's standards.

Equipped with a universal harness, McKnight can carry all the necessary tools for rescue, including ropes, anchors and pulleys.

Aboard the drill ship, McKnight's work schedule is "three weeks out and three weeks off," he said.

While his wife Phylicia admits she doesn't like his work schedule, she said, "I have gotten used to it." But with a 9-year-old son, she longs for her husband to be home more. Those are the sacrifices his family faces all the time.

McKnight's mode of transportation to work is more involved than your average employee, too. First, he drives to Houston Hobby Airport to board a plane to New Orleans, La. From there he takes a bus to Amelia, La. where he flies out by helicopter to the drill ship in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to McKnight, there are about 200 people living on the ship at one time with sleeping and eating quarters for each. The crew operates the drilling rig 24 hours a day.

He works 12 hour shifts, which alternate each time he goes out.

"Every three weeks my shift changes from noon to midnight to midnight to noon," he said.

As a roughneck, his job duties vary from working the drill floor and drilling equipment, to mixing drilling fluids and running the drilling strings.

"The roughneck operates and maintains all rig floor drill string handle and hoisting equipment and well control systems and equipment as directed by the driller," he said.

He is also responsible for all related tools and other equipment received to run casing and retrieve drill string, as well as subsea equipment and specialized tools.

"A roughneck's work activities include repair and maintenance of all drilling system equipment and work area as directed by the driller, too," he added.

McKnight is a 1978 graduate of El Campo High School and lives in El Campo with his wife Phylicia and their son Lamar. His parents are Sally and Clarence McKnight of El Campo.