This summer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Strathclyde, Rikki Gilchrist joined our team in Glasgow for a summer internship, where he had the chance to dive into the world of offshore engineering. With hands-on experience in various projects, Rikki gained invaluable insight into engineering principles and real-world applications. We asked Rikki about his internship, here he reflects on his time with us, sharing his experiences, challenges, and personal growth.
“During my time here, I had the opportunity to work on a range of fascinating projects, including a submarine launch and recovery system, a subsea rope distribution roller box and an outdoor pathline system for power cable transportation. One of my key tasks in the early stages was collaborating with colleagues to design the tow winch for the submarine launch and recovery system. This involved completing design basis calculations in line with safety regulations, selecting components and drafting design and purchase specification documents.
“Later on, I was able to use SolidWorks to model and analyse systems, which enhanced my understanding of mechanical design. While working on the subsea rope distribution Roller Box project, I modified the existing model to improve its design and functionality based on customer requests. I also conducted finite element analysis to ensure the system could handle the maximum stresses encountered.
“One of the aspects I enjoyed most about my internship was the continuous learning experience. It allowed me to apply the engineering skills I’ve developed in university to real-world projects. However, this wouldn’t have been as rewarding without the support of my colleagues, who were always willing to offer their time and expertise when I faced challenges. Their guidance made me feel part of something special, and it reinforced how important teamwork is in engineering.
“The most significant lesson I’ll take away is the realisation that technical skills alone are not enough for success. The key to solving complex engineering problems lies in effective collaboration with a team. This insight has been crucial in my personal and professional growth and is something I will carry with me as I continue my career.
“I’m about to enter my fourth year of studying Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. While I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, I am considering transitioning to a Master’s program to deepen my knowledge further.
“My internship has ignited a passion for offshore engineering, and I’m eager to explore more in this field. I’m particularly interested in working on projects that combine both the design phase and the practical aspects of manufacturing and commissioning. The thought of seeing a design I contributed to come to life and function in the real world is something I find incredibly rewarding.
“As I move forward in my career, I hope to continue working on impactful projects that challenge me and allow me to apply my skills to innovative offshore solutions.”
Our Engineering Manager, Paul Wilson, supervised Rikki throughout his internship and said, “It has been great having Rikki with us this summer, he has brought fresh ideas, a great deal of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the design process, then to apply this knowledge to some challenging projects. He has shown a lot of technical ability to carry out detailed stress analysis of complex components. This is the first time in many years that we have had a summer engineering intern with our team in Glasgow and it has been a really positive experience that we would be keen to repeat in the future”.
Thank you, Rikki, for all of your hard work this summer and we wish you all the very best for your future.