A short while ago an unfortunate incident occurred on the Moon Drifter catamaran whilst at its regular mooring near Faversham. A wind turbine generator was lost overboard from the boat that new club member Paul owns. This led Paul to the thought that perhaps he should learn our sport of Snorkelling, so that in the future, such occurrences need not be the end of the matter.

At club one evening Paul was telling us about this event and we decided that it would serve as an excellent opportunity for us to try a salvage dive to recover it. The call went out to the Senior members and a team of divers came together. The 7 of us plus Paul decided that the date of the first attempt would be the 10^th September 2006 and plans were put into place.

We agreed to meet at the ‘Harty Ferry’ around mid morning and Paul would sail the boat over and transfer us to its mooring. With the phone call to Paul made we eagerly awaited his arrival. Taking the opportunity to form the plan of the dive, Mike Norton was put in charge of over seeing us in and out of the water and would transfer to the boat in its tender. The rest of us would kit up and make our own way across to it checking the water conditions out as we go.

We watched as the catamaran was released from its buoy and started its journey across. There was some camaraderie as the boat seemed to be moving further away but slowly it moved across the estuary. With the boat now up stream and apparently unmoving in the water we received a call from Paul informing us of the trouble. It would appear that the cooling pump on the engine had broken which meant that it could only be run for a few minutes at a time to keep it from over heating. This was stopping Paul sailing against the tide and he decided to try hoisting the sails and move that way. 

The time was ticking by so we walked along the coastal path towards the Moon Drifter to take a better look at it. Upon returning to the car park to have our lunch we stopped and were amused at the escapades of some people who were retrieving their boat up the slipway. The driver of the nice new BMW 4x4 had managed to park it in the water and which was now running over the door seals ! There were several occasions where it almost ended up driven off the slipway and into the deeper water…..

Paul finally appeared as we were finishing our lunch and we all got kitted up. Mike headed off with Paul and some vital supplies (Jaffa cakes…!) and we walked up to the slipway. Steve Higgins and James Norton were in their scuba gear, the rest of us in snorkelling gear. We had a yellow rope with a Surface marker buoy (SMB) tied at two ends and the seven of us waded out into the water.  

With the current still quite strong on the flowing tide we carefully made our way (swimming) to the end of the slipway where we prepared ourselves for the transit across to the boat. We needed to keep together, swimming on a slight course to the flow of the water for a 150 yards. We eventually reached the Moon Drifter and gathered at the Stern awaiting permission to go aboard. With a ladder lowered Steve and James moved in to assist with the removal of our fins and one by one we climbed aboard. I was greeted by Mike on deck who was holding a cup of Tea and wearing some wet trousers !!!! 

Paul explained about the problems with the engine and he and Steve recovered the anchor and set sail for the mooring buoy back across the estuary. 

Mike, Still holding his cup of tea, took control of the ships wheel while Paul continually applied himself to the task of  navigating the crossing. Several times the engine was fired up to assist but never for long enough to be effective against the strong current and prevailing head wind. The mainsail was switched from side to side, the spinnaker altered accordingly. We turned this way and that trying to desperately make headway…..

 Round and around we went, one moment even coming very close to a two mast traditional style boat who’s skipper generously related his understanding of our plight with a belly laugh and an acknowledgement. Finally, some 1 hour later, Paul called time on the attempt and dropped anchor just a few yards from the point where we had started from. Announcing that today was not going to accommodate the plan of a salvage dive and called for assistance from a nearby fishing vessel.

Not down hearted at all this, but wanting to make the best decision for our group, it called for a quick ‘gear on’ and take to the water….  

James and Steve where assisted with their aqualungs and positioned for rapid entry into the water. Ready and go….. over board they went ! Only to find that they had landed on a mud bank in no more than  4 feet of water, hehehehehe. Now it was the turn of the rest of us and we all quickly sorted out our equipment and positioned ourselves on the edge of the catamaran. First Stefan, then Jon, then Ryan and David…. “ John” went the call as we waited for the last member of the dive party to approach the side of the boat. John Cooper appeared and literally through himself overboard ! 

Now with the Moon Drifter under tow and heading across the estuary, with Mike on board we swam ( and sometimes waded) back to the slipway. 

We were back and enjoying some time sharing our experiences with those who stayed behind and awaited the return of Mike with the Keys to the cars, when we would finally be able to get changed. Mike arrived after about an hour and looking decidedly wet which we did have a bit of a laugh about, sorry mike…. 

Now it was Barbeque time and of to Whitstable to Stefan’s Parents house. Eventually Paul also arrived with his friends and we sat and chatted about the day, getting to know each other just a little bit more. 

Many thanks need to go to Dave and Pauline for the Barbeque. Not only was it very kind of them to put on a spread for us to tuck into but with the grub being steak, gammon, pork chops, chicken etc I think everyone will agree that it was very pleasant.

I must say personally, that although the dive did not go as planned, it was enjoyable. Every club member should learn from this that it is OK to plan diving trips but must always be prepared and understanding that sometimes it does not always come together, normally in the best interest of safety. 

We did have some golden moments on this trip, such as John Cooper being so calm and laid back that during the frantic attempts to sail across the estuary, he managed to fall asleep ! This was the first attempt the club has taken to recover the lost wind generator and it will certainly not be the last. We have made a promise to help Paul and do our best at finding it for him, so stay alert and wait for the call to do it all again.

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