Safety-Critical Hatch Systems. Engineered Without Compromise.

Custom-Engineered Hatch Solutions for Safety-Critical Access

Purpose-engineered hatch systems for infrastructure, energy and industrial environments where reliability, corrosion resistance and operator safety are essential.

30+ Years Experience

Proven engineering expertise built over three decades

Manufactured In-House

Precision production with full quality oversight

Global Project Supply

Supporting installations across international markets

Built to Your Specification

Bespoke hatch solutions specific to your project

Engineered for Critical Infrastructure

Our hatch solutions are trusted in safety-critical applications across global industries.

Our hatch systems are proven in environments exposed to corrosion, heavy use, vibration, remote locations and extreme weather. In these conditions, reliability is not optional, it is fundamental. We engineer accordingly.


Energy generation & storage

Water treatment & supply

Oil & gas facilities

Ports & shipyards

Transport & tunnel infrastructure

Our hatch solutions

Customisation without compromise

No two projects are identical. Access constraints, safety requirements, environmental exposure and maintenance considerations all vary. That is why we deliver bespoke, specification-led hatch hardware engineered to meet the exact demands of your installation. Our solutions include:

  • Heavy-duty hinge systems designed for reliable operation in demanding environments

  • Controlled self-closing mechanisms for safe and consistent hatch operation

  • High-performance latching and locking systems for secure access control

  • Corrosion-resistant stainless steel assemblies built for long-term durability

  • Pickled and passivated finishes for enhanced corrosion resistance and longevity

  • Designs engineered for efficient installation and minimal maintenance

How we'll work with you

We work directly with you to develop precise, specification-driven solutions.

We combine technical expertise with practical usability, ensuring your hardware performs not only on drawings, but in the field.Every solution is developed around your application, load requirements and compliance standards. Tell us what you are building. We will engineer the solution to match.

1.

Consultation & review

We begin by understanding your operational environment, access requirements and technical constraints.

2.

Design & specification

Our engineering team develops a tailored solution, providing detailed technical drawings and specifications.

3.

Testing & manufacture

Rigorous testing and precision manufacturing at our own UK facility ensures reliability before deployment.

4.

Support & after-sales

We provide ongoing technical support and guidance to ensure reliable long-term performance after installation.

About us

Why partner with us?

Engineering expertise backed by manufacturing capability

Our engineer-led team designs and manufactures precision hatch hardware in-house, ensuring consistent quality, durability and performance.

A collaborative engineering partner

We work closely with engineers and project teams to develop bespoke hatch solutions tailored to your specific requirements.

Over 30 years of engineering experience

With more than three decades of experience, we deliver proven hatch solutions engineered for demanding industrial environments.

Global supply capability

We support projects worldwide with reliable supply, consistent product quality and dependable delivery.

Case Studies

Our hatch systems are proven to perform in the world's most demanding environments.

When access is safety-critical and conditions are uncompromising, engineered precision makes the difference. Our hatch systems are trusted across infrastructure, industrial and energy sectors where reliability is non-negotiable. Explore how we have delivered bespoke hatch hardware solutions tailored to complex operational requirements.

Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm, UK

We supplied 394 FOHO (Foot-Operated Hatch Opener) units to Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm, engineered to enhance the safety of vertical access within the turbines.

RAAF 135th Radar Station Tower, Australia

Gatemaster supplied a purpose-engineered hatch system, designed for controlled, secure hatch operation. Our solution was adapted to meet the structural and environmental demands of this critical infrastructure site.

Kollsnes Processing Plant, Norway

Gatemaster worked closely with the client to deliver 50 bespoke hatch systems for the Kollsnes Processing Plant, ensuring the highest standards of safety were achieved.

Get in touch & get started

Specifying hatch hardware for a safety-critical environment? Speak with our engineering team.

From infrastructure and energy facilities to industrial plants and marine environments, our hatch hardware is engineered to deliver long-term reliability and safe access. Contact us to get started, fill in the form below or call us at +44 (0)1243 558580

Thank you

One of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Case studies

Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm, UK

We supplied 394 FOHO (Foot-Operated Hatch Opener) units to Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm, engineered to enhance the safety of vertical access within the turbines.

Designed in partnership

Following extensive demonstrations and testing of our new Hatch System, we worked closely with Ørsted to further refine the solution, advancing its design to enhance worker safety within the Hornsea 3 turbines. This collaborative approach allowed us to tailor the system’s performance to real-world operational demands while maintaining the robustness required for offshore environments.Part of this customisation involved developing an alternative fixing method, enabling fast and secure installation with minimal disruption to the turbine’s internal layout. Combined with the Hatch System’s low-maintenance mechanism, this solution ensures long-term reliability without adding operational burden for technicians.Crafted from high-grade corrosion-resistant aluminium and stainless steel, the Foot Operated Hatch System is tested beyond 10,000 cycles, ensuring dependable performance throughout the turbine’s operational life.

Working to improve hatch safety

By enabling operators to open the hatch without using their hands, the Hatch System significantly reduces risk during vertical movement, offering safer access than traditional pulley-and-weight systems. Its self-closing feature eliminates uncontrolled slamming, further improving safety.

Delivering value on one of the UK’s flagship wind projects

Supplying Hatch Systems to a major project like Hornsea 3 reinforces Gatemaster’s role as an innovative, safety-first partner in the offshore wind industry. This collaboration demonstrates our ability to deliver purpose-built, high-performance hardware to large-scale renewable projects, helping to set new standards for vertical access safety.

Case studies

RAAF 135th Radar Station Tower, Australia

Gatemaster Offshore supplied purpose-engineered hatch solution to the RAAF 135th Radar Station Tower in Pinkenba, Australia. Designed for controlled, secure hatch operation, our solution was adapted to meet the structural and environmental demands of this critical infrastructure site.

Bespoke, engineer-led adaptation

Working in close collaboration with AMS Australia, our team developed a tailored solution to suit the unique configuration of the tower hatches.The primary engineering challenge was the limited fixing point available on the structure. The only viable mounting location was the grating adjacent to the hatch. A standard configuration was not suitable.In response, our engineers redesigned the hatch stay to mount beneath the hatch itself, preserving the core functionality and performance characteristics of the original design while introducing a completely new form factor.The result was a bespoke, custom-engineered product that delivered the same controlled opening and secure hold-open performance, adapted precisely to site constraints. This is where our engineer-led approach adds value. We do not offer one-size-fits-all hardware. We develop reliable solutions built around your structure.

Engineered to withstand coastal extremes

Located on a coastal area near Brisbane, the radar station is exposed to intense storms, high winds, salt-laden air and prolonged humidity, particularly during spring and summer months.Every Gatemaster Offshore product is engineered to defy the elements. Our hatch hardware undergoes comprehensive testing and inspection to verify corrosion resistance, mechanical integrity and long-term reliability.Manufactured from high grade stainless steel and finished for maximum durability, our solutions are built to last in aggressive environments, whether installed on offshore platforms or critical land-based structures.Safe access hardware must perform without compromise. Your safety and operational continuity are our priority.

Delivering safe access

This project demonstrates the adaptability of our hatch hardware across demanding sectors. By working closely with our client and re-engineering our product to suit the application, we delivered a robust, safety-focused solution without sacrificing performance.For engineers and project managers facing structural constraints or harsh environmental conditions, we offer more than components. We offer collaboration, technical expertise and bespoke products engineered to last.Tell us about your project. Let’s develop a hatch and gate hardware solution built around your exact requirements.

Case studies

Kollsnes Processing Plant, Norway

A bespoke hatch system for a demanding coastal environment

At the Kollsnes Processing Plant on the coast of Norway, safe hatch operation was a critical requirement within a harsh and demanding industrial setting. The combination of exposed coastal conditions, high winds, and heavy grating materials created added risk for operators and made a standard solution unsuitable for the site.Gatemaster worked closely with the client to develop a bespoke hatch system tailored to these conditions and the specific challenges faced by the plant team. The aim was not only to improve day-to-day usability, but also to deliver a safer, more reliable solution that could perform consistently in a tough operating environment. By combining practical engineering with a clear understanding of the site’s safety needs, the project resulted in a custom hatch solution designed to support safer access and long-term performance.

Designed around the site’s safety challenges

From the outset, the client identified two key safety concerns that needed to be addressed during hatch operation. The first was the need for operators to lean over the hatch opening while using it. The second was the risk of the hatch falling during operation.In an environment like Kollsnes, these risks were heightened by strong winds and the weight of the hatch materials, making safe and controlled movement even more important. The solution therefore needed to reduce operator strain, improve control, and provide greater confidence during use.

A custom hatch solution built for safer operation

To address these challenges, Gatemaster developed a bespoke hatch system with an integrated spring lift assister to reduce the force required to open the hatch. This made operation easier and more controlled from above, while also supporting safer exit when climbing up from below.The system was manufactured from premium-grade stainless steel chosen specifically for offshore and coastal environments. This ensured the hatch stay solutions could withstand corrosion, extreme weather exposure, and continuous operational demands without compromising reliability. The result was a durable, high-performance system built to deliver long service life in a challenging chemical processing environment.

Delivering long-term value through tailored engineering

The finished solution successfully met the client’s safety requirements while demonstrating the value of a tailored engineering approach. Rather than adapting an off-the-shelf product, Gatemaster delivered a custom hatch solution designed around the realities of the site, its environment, and the needs of the people using it.The Kollsnes project reflects Gatemaster’s commitment to engineering practical, high-quality safety solutions for complex industrial applications. Through close collaboration and site-specific design, we continue to develop hatch stay solutions that improve safety, reliability, and performance in demanding environments.