Sunken Snowmobile Retrieval Photos

DRH · 03-05-2006, 04:10 PM

A snowmobile operator became disoriented last night as he attempted to ride into Minge Cove, and he accidently rode into an open water area near shore. The snowmobile sank to the bottom, but fortunately the rider was able to swim to shore and was unharmed (if very cold and wet).

Today the sunken snowmobile was retrieved from the lake bottom and I took a series of pictures that show the process of raising the machine with air bags, securing it to a flat-bottomed "sled", and winching it onto the ice. One of the photos is shown below.

You can view all 20 of the photos here.

mcdude · 03-05-2006, 04:24 PM

Thanks for posting those informative photos Don! Wow does it look cold in that water. brrrrrr! McD

Sal · 03-05-2006, 05:06 PM

Nice series of pictures.

Does the unlucky or negligent rider pay for the obviously expensive retrieval or do the taxpayers of the state, county or municipality get to finance the operation, due to the obvious necessity to get the oil and gas out of the lake?

Steve · 03-05-2006, 06:05 PM

I don't know about those guys on the ice doing the retrieval, but I think I'd be a bit nervous about the ice breaking right under my feet!

CHSLTD · 03-05-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal

Nice series of pictures.

Does the unlucky or negligent rider pay for the obviously expensive retrieval or do the taxpayers of the state, county or municipality get to finance the operation, due to the obvious necessity to get the oil and gas out of the lake?

Owner or their insurance pays. Oil/gas mopped up with absorbent material.

Great shots DRH.

Island Girl · 03-05-2006, 06:54 PM

Really great pictures DRH... just like being there...

Oh ya, I was!

The process that these guys used to raise the snowmobile was fascinating. I wished I had brought my movie camera. Actually the sled was partially up and one of the rescuers went to remove one of the floats from under the carrier.. the ice broke away and the whole thing went into the water again.. Fortunately the guy did not fall in..

It was clear that they knew what they were doing.

IG

upthesaukee · 03-05-2006, 10:31 PM

Great Photo opportunity DRH. Interestingly, you had commented in another thread about the ice ridges around the area, and it appears that in shot #2, there appears to be a pretty significant ice ridge in the background. Glad no one was injured, except perhaps the wallet!

DRH · 03-05-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Great Photo opportunity DRH. Interestingly, you had commented in another thread about the ice ridges around the area, and it appears that in shot #2, there appears to be a pretty significant ice ridge in the background. Glad no one was injured, except perhaps the wallet!

Yes, that's right, upthesaukee. The ice ridge in that shot runs from Treasure Island over to Rum Point, just outside Minge Cove. Here's another view of a portion of that ridge, taken late this afternoon:

Compared to the nearby bobhouse, that ridge appears to be almost 3' high.

The pressure ridges continue to grow, making travel on the ice very dangerous. Many of those ridges now have large areas of standing water up to a foot or more deep alongside them, as shown in this picture posted today in the PhotoPost Gallery by Island Girl:

(Photo courtesy of DBA, taken yesterday on Rattlesnake Island.)

Our snowmobile fun on the ice is over for this season ... it's just too dangerous out there now.

Lin · 03-06-2006, 07:32 AM

Thanks for the photos. Very interesting shots on how they brought the sled up. It was good evening conversation at our house with our company last night. thanks again for posting them DRH.

Winter Harbor · 03-06-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRH

A snowmobile operator became disoriented last night as he attempted to ride into Minge Cove, and he accidently rode into an open water area near shore. The snowmobile sank to the bottom, but fortunately the rider was able to swim to shore and was unharmed (if very cold and wet).

I hate to be the one who breaks this to you, but the operator of that accident did die. He was a college student from Nashua.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...5-ae3effdd21a1

Island Girl · 03-06-2006, 10:43 AM

The death was in the Meredith accident. This one was in W. Alton at the mouth of Minge Cove. The father of the driver was there to talk to.

Winter Harbor · 03-06-2006, 12:59 PM

My appologies, I had my accidents mixed up. Thank you for correcting me.

Windrider · 03-06-2006, 02:33 PM

Really interesting and a great job with the photo's. Let's hope that the word will finally be understood that the lake is very dangerous this year and no one else will be lost. The trucks and snowmobiles are the least of the worries.

Lin · 03-06-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windrider

Really interesting and a great job with the photo's. Let's hope that the word will finally be understood that the lake is very dangerous this year and no one else will be lost. The trucks and snowmobiles are the least of the worries.

Well here is a link to an article on an ATV through the ice on Winnisquam
http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...N0103/60304006

Smith Cove 1 · 03-07-2006, 11:10 AM

Nice job thanks for the pic's

dpg · 03-07-2006, 12:04 PM

Is a machine trashed after that happens or can something be done to revive the motor?

chipj29 · 03-07-2006, 01:31 PM

They are usually fixable. It isn't that easy as the gas and oil tanks need to be drained to get rid of the water. Then they tip the sled on its side, pull out the spark plugs, and pull like crazy to get all the water out of the crankcase. As long as it is started up relatively soon after being sunk (before rust sets in) they are usually ok. However, it is difficult to get all the water out of the foam seat, that can take a long time to dry out.

nightrider · 03-09-2006, 10:56 PM

the foam seat comes off easily. put on the driveway, cover with 3/4" plywood and drive your truck on it. It's drained!

dpg · 03-10-2006, 06:25 AM

Chip and Nightrider, you two sound as though your speaking from experience.

chipj29 · 03-10-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

Chip and Nightrider, you two sound as though your speaking from experience.

Not me, I stay as far away from open water as possible when on my sled. I have heard stories, and thats enough to keep me away. I do know first hand about the foam seats holding water. My neighbor brought his sleds to my warm garage to work on over the winter. They had been covered for almost a year, and when he removed one of the seats, it was twice as heavy as the other due to water. It hadn't been exposed to any kind of water in over a year...they just do not dry out well.
Only open water I go out on is on my SEA Doo, not my SKI Doo!!

gtxrider · 03-10-2006, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

Is a machine trashed after that happens or can something be done to revive the motor?

I would assume you would do the same as with an outboard that sinks, any motor for that fact. Remove the plugs and spin it over and start it A.S.A.P.! If you have a 4 Cycle DRAIN the oil first and add new. There are also sprays to use on the the electical wiring to help dry and prevent corrision.

Ah, but what about all the eletronics and gauges.

Trade it in and let the buyer beware?

John A. Birdsall · 03-10-2006, 03:10 PM

Back in the good old days at downings, I had lost a outboard 6 hp tank on it. and we were told not to take it out of the water. Leave it in the water till the mechanic (skip) could get to it. I think gaskets in the carborator had to be replaced, and unit completly dried. Perhaps that was because it was running when I lost it. However I had a 115 Johnson that went down with the boat, Not running. I got the boat up, charged the battery and ran it. No work done. But that was not running and it had a cover that did not leak.

Mee-n-Mac · 03-10-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

Back in the good old days at downings, I had lost a outboard 6 hp tank on it. and we were told not to take it out of the water. Leave it in the water till the mechanic (skip) could get to it. I think gaskets in the carborator had to be replaced, and unit completly dried. Perhaps that was because it was running when I lost it. However I had a 115 Johnson that went down with the boat, Not running. I got the boat up, charged the battery and ran it. No work done. But that was not running and it had a cover that did not leak.

Waaay back when I managed to put an old 18HP 'Rude into 8' of water. Went down running though it must have stopped just prior to going under, no hydro-lock. Pulled it up within minutes and basically pulled the plugs, drained the carb bowl, fuel line, etc and then it started back up - no problem. Last time I put 18HP on a transom made for 10HP

03-05-2006, 04:10 PM	#1
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 1,183 Thanked 655 Times in 173 Posts	Sunken Snowmobile Retrieval Photos A snowmobile operator became disoriented last night as he attempted to ride into Minge Cove, and he accidently rode into an open water area near shore. The snowmobile sank to the bottom, but fortunately the rider was able to swim to shore and was unharmed (if very cold and wet). Today the sunken snowmobile was retrieved from the lake bottom and I took a series of pictures that show the process of raising the machine with air bags, securing it to a flat-bottomed "sled", and winching it onto the ice. One of the photos is shown below. You can view all 20 of the photos here. __________________ DRH

03-05-2006, 05:06 PM	#3
Sal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 311 Thanks: 103 Thanked 169 Times in 53 Posts	Who pays ? Nice series of pictures. Does the unlucky or negligent rider pay for the obviously expensive retrieval or do the taxpayers of the state, county or municipality get to finance the operation, due to the obvious necessity to get the oil and gas out of the lake?

03-05-2006, 06:54 PM	#6
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	Fascinating watching Really great pictures DRH... just like being there... Oh ya, I was! The process that these guys used to raise the snowmobile was fascinating. I wished I had brought my movie camera. Actually the sled was partially up and one of the rescuers went to remove one of the floats from under the carrier.. the ice broke away and the whole thing went into the water again.. Fortunately the guy did not fall in.. It was clear that they knew what they were doing. IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

03-05-2006, 10:31 PM	#7
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,547 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,398 Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts	Great Photo opportunity DRH. Interestingly, you had commented in another thread about the ice ridges around the area, and it appears that in shot #2, there appears to be a pretty significant ice ridge in the background. Glad no one was injured, except perhaps the wallet! __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

03-06-2006, 07:32 AM	#9
Lin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts & Moultonborough Posts: 673 Thanks: 41 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	Thanks for the photos. Very interesting shots on how they brought the sled up. It was good evening conversation at our house with our company last night. thanks again for posting them DRH. __________________ Lin

03-05-2006, 04:24 PM	#2
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,361 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,044 Times in 490 Posts	Thanks! Thanks for posting those informative photos Don! Wow does it look cold in that water. brrrrrr! McD

03-05-2006, 06:05 PM	#4
Steve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southern NH Posts: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't know about those guys on the ice doing the retrieval, but I think I'd be a bit nervous about the ice breaking right under my feet!

03-06-2006, 10:43 AM	#11
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	Different Accident The death was in the Meredith accident. This one was in W. Alton at the mouth of Minge Cove. The father of the driver was there to talk to. __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

03-06-2006, 12:59 PM	#12
Winter Harbor Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My appologies, I had my accidents mixed up. Thank you for correcting me.

03-06-2006, 02:33 PM	#13
Windrider Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Meredith Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Really interesting and a great job with the photo's. Let's hope that the word will finally be understood that the lake is very dangerous this year and no one else will be lost. The trucks and snowmobiles are the least of the worries.

03-07-2006, 11:10 AM	#15
Smith Cove 1 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Photo's Nice job thanks for the pic's

03-07-2006, 12:04 PM	#16
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,560 Thanks: 149 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Is a machine trashed after that happens or can something be done to revive the motor?

03-07-2006, 01:31 PM	#17
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	Fixable They are usually fixable. It isn't that easy as the gas and oil tanks need to be drained to get rid of the water. Then they tip the sled on its side, pull out the spark plugs, and pull like crazy to get all the water out of the crankcase. As long as it is started up relatively soon after being sunk (before rust sets in) they are usually ok. However, it is difficult to get all the water out of the foam seat, that can take a long time to dry out.

03-09-2006, 10:56 PM	#18
nightrider Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: winter harbor Posts: 199 Thanks: 4 Thanked 33 Times in 18 Posts	fixable the foam seat comes off easily. put on the driveway, cover with 3/4" plywood and drive your truck on it. It's drained!

03-10-2006, 06:25 AM	#19
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,560 Thanks: 149 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Chip and Nightrider, you two sound as though your speaking from experience.

03-10-2006, 03:10 PM	#22
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	motor drowning Back in the good old days at downings, I had lost a outboard 6 hp tank on it. and we were told not to take it out of the water. Leave it in the water till the mechanic (skip) could get to it. I think gaskets in the carborator had to be replaced, and unit completly dried. Perhaps that was because it was running when I lost it. However I had a 115 Johnson that went down with the boat, Not running. I got the boat up, charged the battery and ran it. No work done. But that was not running and it had a cover that did not leak.