Recovery
We had had a good days diving launching earlier that morning at the village of Little Haven in Pembrokeshire. So it was that 4 divers and rib returned and crept into the now very sandy bay.
Things were different on our return we anticipated the tide would be out, what we didn’t expect was just how far it would be out. The slip way that we’d used earlier that morning was high and dry now there was a mile of beach between the slip and the waters edge.
This recovery was going to a challenge, we grounded the rib in the shallow waters on the sand and someone was assigned to go and bring the Transit flat back truck and boat trailer from the nearby car park. None of us relished the idea of carting carrying heavy diving equipment back to what seemed a distant shoreline; we opted to leave it on the boat. The truck and trailer arrived, the beach was nice and flat and the sand looked well compacted. Unhitching the trailer we pushed it into the water, guided the rib onto it and secured it with the winch. Two at the back pushing and two lifting the tow hitch we hitched it to the truck. Hell was the boats really that heavy? Apparently it was. In the interim minutes the sea was by now lapping around the trailer axles and the surf was breaking over the rear of the trailer ,the tyres looked odd were they sinking?
The truck was fired up & plenty of revs applied as it strained to move the loaded boat on trailer, it’s wheels started to slip it wasn’t going anywhere it was now stuck and to our alarm the trailer axles was now sinking further into the sand. The exclamation was made “We need a four wheel drive”! So one of our party was sent to bring his Frontera that should do the job. A rope was procured and tied to the rear towing hitch of the 4 wheel drive the other end tied to the front of the truck. The Frontera would help pull out the truck and then try the trailer. Slowly revs applied, it too was struggling, wheels slipping, and it couldn’t do it and was also getting bogged down, by now its owner getting distinctly alarmed at the prospect of his beloved off motor abandoned to a sandy fate. It was released and unhitched without the truck’s burden relived he drove his 4 wheel drive out to safety.
By now the unfolding circus was being witnessed by onlookers one of who we discovered was the proud owner of a Range Rover, “Yeah that would do it, we would he give it a try? Quite keen to offer his services and show his 4 wheel driving prowess he would pull our truck out. The rope was now attached to rear of his 4 wheel drive a suitable gear ratio and drive selected slowly the revs were applied, four red faced divers now strained pushing at the back of the truck , it’s moving its moving , no it isn’t .
Range rover wheel spinning not only was it not moving but the heavy Range Rover was also now stuck, Oh Shit!!!!!!
By now the whole event was drawing a crowd it looked like it was rapidly becoming the unscheduled centre of attention for the visitors to this small village. Not only was this getting embarrassing it was nightmare, boat and trailer, truck and Range Rover all now stuck, in the sand we needed to do something. At this point a chap wandered onto the beach in what was clearly a laid back manner in a local accent told us he had a tractor nearby and was willing to attempt a recovery with boat and trailer, truck and Range Rover now all firmly entrenched in the sand, Hmmm wasn’t much likelihood of an old tractor making a difference was there? We’d be thankful for any attempt.
In a cloud of diesel heralded the tractors arrival onto the beach, Tow Ropes tied with suitable applause from the bystanders spectating in the front of the nearby pub the Ranger Rover it was pulled out. Next having unhitched the truck from the boat the truck pulled free was liberated. Finally the start of it all the boat and trailer was retrieved up the beach to the slip way. All homage to saviour tractor and driver having succeeded with what seemed apparent ease were others failed. Indebted to the driver a worthy financial contribution was offered and accepted
As with all diving type “epics” lessons were learnt, despite the fact we were all tired it would have saved heartache if we had unloaded the heavy gear off the boat, seems pretty obvious now. The fact the beach looked ok and the tide was out hadn’t allowed the sand to dry out sufficiently. Don’t put your faith in one thing i.e. 4 wheel drives aren’t the answer to everything.
Every picture tells a story
