Michael Harding, Assistant Safety Officer aboard the Prosperity floating, production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO), offers a unique perspective on the oil and gas industry. “The great part about safety is that you’re working with every department,” he explained on the most recent episode of Offshore Diaries. “You’re learning how persons do their job, the technical aspects of their job, so you’re able to just keep progressing.”
Initially, Harding had no knowledge of safety as a career. “Within Guyana, I didn’t know anything much about safety. It really wasn’t until oil and gas came about that it was really recognized,” he admitted. Now, safety is at the core of his professional life.
Harding’s responsibilities are vast. “On days we have crew change, I’m the HOA—that is, the Helicopter Liaison Officer or Landing Officer. I do pre-inspections on the deck itself, ensure all the cargo coincides with the manifest, and handle personnel,” he shared. Beyond that, he maintains firefighting equipment and life-saving appliances. “From hydrants to extinguishers, fixed firefighting systems, and emergency escape devices, it’s all part of the job.”
His journey wasn’t linear. A sports enthusiast, Harding once pursued international field hockey umpiring. At Bishop’s High School, he switched career ambitions often. “I wanted to do aeronautical engineering. Then I switched to electrical engineering, computer science, and even biology,” he said. By third year at university, he had a turning point. “I met someone who wished they had the opportunities I had. That made me rethink everything. My parents sacrificed so much—I wanted to make a change.”
Harding credits university lecturers for helping him secure internships and eventually land a job at the Environmental Protection Agency. Recognizing the demand for versatility, he expanded his qualifications to include health, safety, and environment.
The road offshore wasn’t smooth. “I got rejected by SBM [Offshore] three or four times,” he said. “It sucked. But I told myself, if I applied for 10 years, someday they’d have to take me. Every rejection taught me to get more qualifications and experience.”
Now aboard the Prosperity, Harding isn’t complacent. “I want to be one of the best in safety. I’ll keep escalating, but with my style and personality,” he said. His advice is straightforward: “Position yourself, stay positive, and be persistent. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get in immediately. There are so many opportunities—just keep banging on that door.” For Harding, the future is bright. His story is proof that with determination, anyone can chart a path to success.
