Boat Mishap: Forgetting Handbrake, Lessons Learned

I was enjoying a beautiful day at the harbour with my wife when we saw a car rolling into a boat. The two men standing next to the car looked shocked. They were British tourists who had rented a Fiat for their holiday in Spain. One of them forgot to put the handbrake on. Luckily, the car and the boat only had a few scuffs and no permanent dents.

The car rolled into a boat in Spain

Oops! That's one mistake you won't be making twice. It's easy to do, especially if you're distracted or in a rush, but forgetting to put the handbrake on can have some pretty embarrassing consequences. Just ask the British tourist who forgot to engage the handbrake on their rented Fiat while on holiday in Spain. Their car ended up rolling into a boat at Cabopino harbour on the Costa del Sol. Luckily, the car and the boat only suffered a few scuffs and no permanent dents were visible. Phew!

It's not just cars that need handbrakes, though. One person on Reddit shared a story about their parent's mistake with a boat:

> "My dad did this to his car years ago. It managed to pass through two trees, sheering off the rear-view mirrors and it dropped the engine into a pond - the rest of the car managed to stay out. My dad always had a knack for making friends with his mechanic so they towed it out, brought it back to the shop and my dad spent the night drying everything out with some kind of blow dryer, cleaning the engine. The next day, he got it started and drove it for years."

So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, don't panic! It might not be as bad as it seems. Just remember to take a few deep breaths and assess the damage calmly. And next time, don't forget that handbrake!

The driver called a recovery truck

The driver could also try to get the car out of the water themselves before the truck arrives. They could attach a chain or rope to the car and use a winch or come-along to pull it out. They could also try to drive it out if the water is not too deep and the electrical system has not been damaged.

Once the car is out of the water, the driver will need to assess the damage. If the water has gotten into the engine, transmission, or other critical systems, the car may be totalled. Even if it can be repaired, the cost may exceed the value of the car, and the insurance company may declare it a total loss.

In the meantime, the driver should also notify their insurance company of the incident. They may be able to provide assistance with getting the car out of the water and determining the extent of the damage.

The car and boat only had a few scuffs

Forgetting to put the handbrake on can have some serious consequences, but sometimes, you get lucky. This is one of those times.

The driver was probably very relieved. It's an easy mistake to make, and it could have been a lot worse. A similar incident occurred when a truck rolled into a lake, and that was a total write-off. This time, the story had a happy ending.

The driver forgot to put the truck in park

Forgetting to put your vehicle in park can have some serious consequences. This is especially true if you're launching a boat, as one unfortunate driver found out. In their case, they forgot to put their truck in park on a boat launch, and the truck ended up rolling into the water. Luckily, the interior of the truck and the boat itself were mostly untouched, with only a few scuffs visible. Still, it's a good reminder to always make sure your vehicle is securely parked, especially in situations like this where there's a steep incline.

Another incident involving a forgotten handbrake occurred when a car rolled into a boat at a harbour on Spain's Costa del Sol. The driver, a British tourist who had rented a Fiat for their holiday, admitted that they had forgotten to put the handbrake on. Fortunately, the car and boat only sustained a few scuffs and no permanent dents were visible.

These stories serve as a reminder that it's important to be mindful when parking your vehicle, especially in situations where there is a risk of it rolling away. Whether it's a truck, car, or any other type of vehicle, forgetting to put it in park can lead to some unexpected and potentially costly consequences.

To avoid such mishaps, it's always recommended to use the handbrake when parking your vehicle, even if it's an automatic. This provides an extra layer of security and can help prevent your vehicle from rolling away, especially in hilly areas or when there is a steep incline, such as at a boat launch.

The truck and boat were likely written off

Forgetting to engage the handbrake can have disastrous consequences, as one unfortunate driver found out when their truck rolled into a lake at a boat launch. The incident, which was captured in a photo that went viral on Reddit, serves as a reminder of the importance of taking proper safety precautions when operating a vehicle. In this case, the driver's mistake likely resulted in significant damage to both the truck and the boat, leading to costly repairs or even a total loss.

While the full extent of the damage is unclear, it is safe to assume that the truck sustained extensive water damage. As one Reddit user explained, water can seep into the engine, transmission, and electrical components, causing serious issues that are often costly to repair. The interior of the truck would also need to be thoroughly dried and cleaned to prevent mould and mildew from forming. Given the magnitude of the incident, it is likely that the insurance company would declare the truck a total loss.

The boat, which was presumably also submerged in water, would have sustained similar damage. Water can cause corrosion and electrical issues, requiring extensive repairs or even replacement of certain components. Additionally, the weight of the truck on top of the boat could have caused structural damage, further increasing the cost of repairs.

In conclusion, the truck and boat were likely written off due to the extensive damage caused by the incident. This serves as a costly reminder to always engage the handbrake when parking on an incline, especially when launching a boat. While it may seem like a simple mistake, the consequences can be severe and impact not only your vehicle but also those around you.

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