Andrew joined the Royal Navy in 1978 as a seaman officer and initially specialised as a Fighter Controller. He served in this capacity in HMS COVENTRY from 1981 until the ship’s loss in May 1982, during the Falklands Conflict. Thereafter, Andrew’s naval career was largely sea-going as both a surface and anti-air warfare specialist in destroyers and aircraft carriers. His commands included: the fast patrol boat SNV AL FULK, while on loan to the Omani Navy during the later stages of the Iran-Iraq war; the Type 42 destroyer, HMS YORK, again in the Gulf and on counter-narcotics operations; and, the Type 22 frigate, HMS CHATHAM, leading NATO’s squadron in the Mediterranean and patrolling the Baltic.
He was staff trained at the Joint Services Defence College, Greenwich, and completed two appointments in the Ministry of Defence: the first in the Directorate of Naval Operations, and the second as the Secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee, covering the period of the 2003 Iraq war.
Andrew joined the Marine Accident Investigation Branch in January 2005 as a Principal Inspector in charge of one the Branch’s four investigation teams. He assumed the post of Deputy Chief Inspector in September 2010 and was appointed as the Branch’s Chief Inspector in October 2018.
Away from work, true to form, Andrew’s activities involve boating. He is an RYA Powerboat Trainer and Yachtmaster; a Younger Brethren of Trinity House, and the Chairman of Trustees for Southampton Sea Cadets.