Shipyard Boss Abseils Down Drydock

UK shipyard, A&P managing director, Peter Child tested his nerves when he joined a dozen others to abseil down the largest dry dock on the UK’s south coast to raise money for charities.

Mr Child and Adrian Richards, Chief Executive of BF Adventure in Penryn, were the first to test the ropes 50 feet above the huge dry dock at A&P Falmouth, which is 40m wide and 253m long – the size of two Wembley football pitches.

The two companies share the same vision for supporting young people in Cornwall, including a focus on apprenticeships and the opportunities they provide.

The event, which raised money for BF Adventure and All As One Orphanage in Sierra Leone, A&P’s charity of the year, also celebrated the ongoing relationship between A&P and BF Adventure.

Mr Child said: “Given my lack of head for heights this was a definite challenge to be met but the BF team were excellent and we are already planning the next event with them. Thanks to Gregg, Naomi and my team for organising the day”

“We are proud to continue our association with BF Adventure by sponsoring them, using their facilities and helping with work experience. We strongly believe that investing in sustainable, highly skilled jobs is the future of our dockyard, which is why we place so much value in training and apprenticeships.”

Since 1989, 120 apprentices and 33 adult trainees have been recruited in four main trade disciplines – marine engineering, electrical, steel fabrication/welding and pipe fabrication/fitting.
The latest five apprentices to join A&P Falmouth (who all joined in the abseil) started work in September 2013, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to Cornwall and the future of the dockyard and a further three apprentices are planned for September this year .