Gambia: Gambian-Based British Diver Speaks

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Fatou Jallow

10 June 2011

Dave Paget alias Land Rover 1, a British diver based in The Gambia has spoken of his passion for diving and the pleasure he enjoys in rescuing properties that often perish at sea.

In an exclusive interview with this reporter, the energetic looking diver revealed that he has been living in The Gambia for the past eleven years and has since been using his diving skills to contribute to the ongoing advancement of the Gambian society. According to him, he is always contracted by the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) to rescue trucks that accidentally fell into the river on boarding the ferry; and with the police, to deal with road accidents. He disclosed that he has so far helped to remove five trucks from the river over the past 11 years, the last being at the Banjul and Farafenni terminals a month ago.

He said the truck he removed from Banjul ferry terminal was 20 meters deep in the sea whilst the one removed from the waters in Farefenni was eight meters below sea level. Explaining how he removes trucks from inside the river, Paget said that he has been diving for some 40 years and uses his diving skills to get to the bottom of the river, and ties the sunken truck with a rope for it to be lifted to the surface by a an elevator. “When I get down to the bottom of the sea, it is usually dark and muddy but I use my experience to go round the truck, find out where the cabin is located, stand on it and then tie the truck with a rope so that it can be lifted from the mud,” he further explained.

Speaking on the constraints in diving in the River Gambia, Paget noted that inside the water is dirty and full of mud, thus making visibility hard because the mud makes the whole water dark. He said apart from that, it is always a pleasure to dive in the River Gambia. He also spoke of his intention to train Gambian youths to become active in diving and its related activities. He added that this is necessary because he has not seen Gambian youths engaged in what he is doing.

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