Chapter 614

3/30/2022

Lost at Sea

salvage operation

Had a little problem with my drone when I was at Rush Pond photographing in December. Successfully launched from my kayak, did the photo shoot, but tried landing on the rounded deck. I came down nicely but was an inch offcenter so when the blades stopped spinning, it slid off and went down like a rock. Grasped for it clumsily and almost tipped over in the freezing water. This was the last picture it took as it went down 8 feet below water surface next to the beaver house.

I went back there when the ice formed an inch thick. Used the kayak as an icebreaker lunging forward on the ice then cruching down with my weight. Used this home made single hook of solid copper wire on the end of a pool cleaning pole. Snagged the sucker but fumbled trying to grasp the drone and it went back down to the deep. I knew the exact spot as I had launched from right next to the beaver house. The find my drone software feature on my controller still also knew right where it was too.

So for Christmas my family bought me a new drone. But I went back in January making a two prong hook this time and the ice was thick enough to walk on 1 1/2 inches, rope security. After a short time I came up with a bunch of sticks with the drone inside. Was a little more patient and got it out.

After drying out in 10 pounds of rice for two days, I tried to launch with a new battery. Lights would come on, the blades clicked but no launch. Amazingly after 2 months in freezing water it would take a blurry picture though.

Lights but no fly. error codes

I did salvage the micro SD memory card out of the drowned drone and this is one of the last pictures on it. Am reusing the SD card in new drone.

I sent the drone off to DJI Repair center and they were very efficient and understanding. They estimated the damage cost to repair as about 1/3 the cost of a new drone. Not sure if they would fix the old one but they ended up sending me a whole Brand New unit within a week. WOW, great.  

So now I got a spare to send on my more dangerous missions. This is first test the dark morning after receiving.