A dive team from Kaymac was mobilised to the wreck site on 26 July on board the diving support vessel Heather D, accompanied by agents for the insurers and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Pamela S had gone down inside the limits of Pendine Ranges, so prior arrangement with and permission from the Ministry of Defence had to be granted before recovery could commence.

A preliminary survey of the vessel found it to be upright on the seabed in 7m of water with no visible damage to the hull.

A detailed survey was made of the vessel and items on deck as well as the surrounding seabed, with information gathered passed on to the MAIB.

Work began the same day to rig the 10 ton vessel for recovery.

This involved fitting two totally enclosed six ton capacity lifting bags to the hull, one on each side just behind the wheelhouse, and a five ton capacity parachute type bag at the stern. Good visibility underwater and minimal currents allowed the divers to work through the tidal range.

Lifting the wreck the following day involved filling the lifting bags remotely from the deck of the Heather D, with a diver monitoring progress underwater.

Once Pamela S was clear of the seabed it was towed still partially submerged into the harbour at Tenby, some three miles away.

The vessel was beached at the top of the tide and moored tight to the harbour wall to prevent it from rolling over on the falling tide.

At low water the following morning all lifting gear was de-rigged and the hull pumped out. An investigation team from the MAIB then carried out a preliminary survey of the vessel.

On the next incoming tide, the Pamela S was refloated and towed to Bury Port, where it was lifted out of the water by a crane.

The causes of the sinking are currently under full investigation by the MAIB.

MJInformation No: 22227