Management and Staff
Pete Fottrell - Operations Manager
Joined the Royal Marines at 16, completed 14 years service, many
happy memories and of course some sad. Went to the ‘Oil Patch’ in 85,
FRC coxswain did a couple of 28 day hitches, then moving to
‘Westburne Drilling’, ‘Rough-Necking’ on the Brents. In 87 we had a
long drilling shutdown, and I did a two day intro into Rope Access with
the newly formed CAN Offshore. Next thing I knew we were at the top
of the Total MCPO1 Flare Tower, they wanted it painting!, and paint it
we did - by hand! Rope Access was in its pioneering era, so joined
Maritime Rescue Services as a Fast Rescue Craft/First Aid instructor,
returning to CAN Offshore 12 months later. Many varied and interesting
tasks undertaken, I eventually moved to ‘Hi-Rope’, as a Project Engineer, a sharp learning curve.
After 2 years, decided to have a change of direction, moved back down to Devon, joined the
Devon Fire and Rescue Service as a retained member. Became a ‘Barista’, serving the and I
quote: ‘The Best Cappuccino in North Devon’. Following the devastation of Hurricane Ivan, I went
over to the USA to conduct structural repairs for CAN USA, then it was back to the North Sea. The
Sub Sea specialists Technip UK were expanding the ‘BP Magnus’ interesting stuff! Then it was
back to the MCPO1, decommissioning this time followed by the Frigg.
In May 2008 I formed Access Unlimited. I have had some great mentors over the years, but am
still learning every day, when you think you have nothing left to learn then I reckon it’s time to quit,
as that’s when it does get dangerous!
The equipment that we use is simple but the way in which we use it is critical. The job needs to be
done safely, cost-effetively and often within a strictly defined time-window. This is where our 20
plus years of experience is the key factor.
Management and Staff
Pete Fottrell - Operations Manager
Joined the Royal Marines at 16, completed 14 years service,
many happy memories and of course some sad. Went to the
‘Oil Patch’ in 85, FRC coxswain did a couple of 28 day
hitches, then moving to ‘Westburne Drilling’, ‘Rough-Necking’
on the Brents. In 87 we had a long drilling shutdown, and I did
a two day intro into Rope Access with the newly formed CAN
Offshore. Next thing I knew we were at the top of the Total
MCPO1 Flare Tower, they wanted it painting!, and paint it we
did - by hand! Rope Access was in its pioneering era, so
joined Maritime Rescue Services as a Fast Rescue Craft/First Aid instructor, returning to
CAN Offshore 12 months later. Many varied and interesting tasks undertaken, I eventually
moved to ‘Hi-Rope’, as a Project Engineer, a sharp learning curve. After 2 years, decided
to have a change of direction, moved back down to Devon, joined the Devon Fire and
Rescue Service as a retained member. Became a ‘Barista’, serving the and I quote: ‘The
Best Cappuccino in North Devon’. Following the devastation of Hurricane Ivan, I went over
to the USA to conduct structural repairs for CAN USA, then it was back to the North Sea.
The Sub Sea specialists Technip UK were expanding the ‘BP Magnus’ interesting stuff!
Then it was back to the MCPO1, decommissioning this time followed by the Frigg.
In May 2008 I formed Access Unlimited. I have had some great mentors over the years,
but am still learning every day, when you think you have nothing left to learn then I reckon
it’s time to quit, as that’s when it does get dangerous!
The equipment that we use is simple but the way in which we use it is critical. The job needs to be
done safely, cost-effetively and often within a strictly defined time-window. This is where our 20
plus years of experience is the key factor.