The breakdown expert
Jonathan Parker is the marine version of the AA or RAC’s roadside assistance but on the water.
Jonathan Parker
On a busy day hundreds of pleasure boats cruise around the Solent so it is no surprise some of them find themselves in trouble.
People do get into trouble when they break down...Potentially once they drift closer to rocks, they do start getting into danger so we need to get to people as quickly as possible."Jonathan Parker
Riding to the rescue is Jonathan Parker who works for an emergency breakdown company, Sea Start.
He is the marine version of the AA or RAC’s roadside assistance - but on the water.
"People do get into trouble when they break down," says Jonathan.
"They'll be floating around. Potentially once they drift closer to rocks or something, they do start getting into danger so we need to get to people as quickly as possible."
We watch him on a job helping Kevin and Lisa Bowden who have spent the last three years renovating their boat, only to find themselves stranded on their maiden voyage.
"It'sΒ a very rewarding job being able to fix it - to know that they're happy," says Jonathan.
"Other days you can't fix anything and you feel like you're the worst mechanic in the world."
Fortunately, Jonathan has relatively few of those sort of days.Β
Another call sends Jonathan heading up the coast to help a cruiser with a dodgy gearbox.
His role as trouble-shooter is essential in keeping pleasure boats moving smoothly and without lengthy technical breakdowns.
