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Trucking Heavy - Season 4 Episode 8
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00:00engines
00:00Are you ready?
00:02Yeah, ready when you are, pal.
00:04Our trucking heroes are back.
00:07Ranger, off you go.
00:08Okay.
00:09These are the super heavyweight champions of the road.
00:13Just another day moving machines.
00:17It is very nerve-wracking.
00:18Very, very nerve-wracking.
00:20Wielding some of the heftiest hardware in the world.
00:23Lift it up.
00:25Pinchy top.
00:25When every mile's a battle.
00:30Where's he come from?
00:31He's obviously totally ignored us.
00:33And every second counts.
00:35Because it's such a big machine, we're going to block the yard, so we need to be quick.
00:39These are the experts making light work.
00:42About half an inch off the house there.
00:45All good.
00:46Going really well, actually.
00:47Of the largest loads imaginable.
00:50It is quite easy to make a catastrophic mistake.
00:54It's a hell of a fun way, yes.
00:55So put your pedal to the metal.
00:58We're committed now.
00:59This is it.
01:00Things are about to get...
01:02Trucking heavy.
01:06Not of the week off with a happy customer.
01:08It can only get worse from here, can't it, Mick?
01:16Today.
01:17We want to turn left and he wants to come out there.
01:20Landing a 60-foot-long maritime monster leaves Mark in a tight squeeze.
01:24There's a bus coming down, so we'll hang on here.
01:27He's here.
01:28It takes sharp eyes and steady focus to safely birth a boatload of big trucks.
01:34We don't have any cameras here or any parking sensors, it's all done by eye.
01:38And a super-sized cylinder takes to the skies.
01:42Trench up a tiny bit.
01:43Hold it there.
01:44Hold it there.
01:45But comes back down to earth with a boat.
01:49Try it, nice and steady.
01:50And I mean steady.
01:51Over the past 35 years, A.S. Taylor have built up an impressive reputation for shifting some of Britain's biggest boats.
02:05Good afternoon.
02:06From their base in scenic Staffordshire, their specialist fleet can carry ferry-floating freight of all shapes and sizes, from 40-foot narrow boats to whopping 70-foot wide beams.
02:21Yeah, we can sort that.
02:22No problem, sir.
02:23One of their top trucking talents is Mark.
02:29A seasoned haulier, with experience in tackling all types of heavy cargo.
02:34I've been driving lotties for about 25, 30 years.
02:38That's all I've ever done, really, since I left school, driving lotties.
02:41So, I've never done anything else.
02:45Being a mega-mover sometimes means long stints away from home.
02:52I miss you mountains a bit now and then.
02:54I'm away all week, but I think she's used it after 25 years.
02:58Good thing she's learnt to live with it.
03:00Today, Mark's been charged with shifting a colossal canal boat all the way from a boatyard in Wakefield to its new berth 180 miles south in Seoul Junction Marina, Gloucester.
03:18Stretching 60 feet from bow to stern, today's cargo is almost double the length of a Rootmaster bus.
03:25At 23 tonnes, it's five times heavier than an African elephant.
03:34Fresh from collecting their colossal cargo, Mark and escort driver Rob are gearing up for what will be a mega cross-country mission.
03:44All good, Rob?
03:46Yeah, no problem.
03:47Right, yeah.
03:48Too clean, kid.
03:48But first, they have to navigate their way out of Wakefield, with 23 tonnes of canal boat tagging along behind.
04:00Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're through.
04:01Go on, mate.
04:02Go on.
04:02Yeah, you're through, kid.
04:07You've got pedestrians, you've got narrow traffic lights, one-way systems.
04:12Other roads ain't made for loads like this at all.
04:14With Rob behind, we always manage.
04:18Singing your own praises here, Rob.
04:21She don't know me, then.
04:23Working together like a well-oiled machine, the lads quickly conquer Wakefield's maze of street furniture.
04:31And swiftly head for the freedom of the open road.
04:37That traffic was all right, coming out there.
04:39Normally, it's a bit heavy, isn't it?
04:41Sometimes it can be a nightmare, mate.
04:43I know.
04:45Yeah, yeah, we're doing well so far.
04:47What next?
04:48Bacon sandwich.
04:50Oh, now you're talking.
04:52But between them and a bacon butty, stands a fresh new set of challenges.
05:00Riding up the rear, Mark's counting on Rob to keep this heavyweight haul on course.
05:07He can keep an eye on the back end.
05:10Anything coming past, he can keep them out a bit, because he's got the lights flashing.
05:13So it's always good to have Rob behind.
05:16And the radios.
05:17And tell us what's happening behind, like.
05:20You there, Rob?
05:22Yeah, yeah, yeah.
05:23Go on.
05:24We'll go on tip shelf, yeah.
05:26Try it, mate, yeah.
05:27Yeah, we'll see what we can do.
05:28Luckily, the boys hit the road running, and by 2pm, they're making good headway.
05:35So far, so good.
05:38Traffic's nice and light at the minute.
05:40So, yeah, it's been all good at the minute.
05:43From the depot in Wakefield, the lads will head south on the M1, picking up the M42 before
05:50joining the M5 past Birmingham, where they'll overnight at a service station.
05:56Come on in.
05:58They'll rejoin the M5, and then swing off onto the A38 for the final stretch to Seoul Junction
06:05and Marina, a total journey of 180 miles.
06:12But the lads can't afford to laze about this afternoon.
06:16The rules of the road for an abnormal load means they're in a race against the clock to
06:22reach their stop-off point.
06:244 o'clock, you suppose, we'll be off the road.
06:26You can't move again after 6, but again, it'll be dark, so you're better off to park
06:30up and just go in the morning.
06:33To stay on top of his game, the seasoned haulier knows a solid night's kip is crucial.
06:41Anything could throw the offload of this 23-tonne cargo off track, but Mother Nature is Mark's
06:48biggest concern.
06:50If the wind's bad tomorrow, it could make the lift difficult.
06:54You're holding the ropes, and if the wind grabs the boat, it just takes the boat out
06:59of your hands, so you won't be able to hold it.
07:01So we try and keep it low to the ground if we can.
07:07A few more miles under their belt, Mark and Rob are soon rolling into their overnight layover
07:13location with time to spare.
07:16Services, look.
07:17That's the sign we want.
07:19Arriving early means they beat the rush.
07:23It's looking all right.
07:24Yeah, there's going to be plenty of room.
07:28We can get round here, out the way.
07:31Truck ourselves in over here, out the way.
07:35And that will do for the night.
07:39Boats still chained down sight and everything in one piece.
07:43They can park up, safe in the knowledge that phase one of the mega move is officially in
07:49the back.
07:50It's been a good day.
07:52The boat's still on.
07:54Nothing's fell off, so it's all been good.
07:55But before they face a big day tomorrow, the lads have one last very important decision
08:02to make.
08:03What's for tea tonight, then?
08:04Fish and chips.
08:05Here we come.
08:11Coming up.
08:13A rapid reload keeps the crew of the Red Kestrel on their toes.
08:18In the summer, we get a sort of 10-minute turn around to turn the ship around, but we've
08:22got to do it safely.
08:23That's the most important thing.
08:26Pinch up a tiny bit.
08:28A colossal crane kicks into gear when a ship sails in with a giant cylinder.
08:33It's got to go to me.
08:34A touch, Luke.
08:35Yeah.
08:35Yeah.
08:36Hold it there.
08:37And there's trouble brewing for Mark.
08:40What's his van doing here, Rob?
08:41You couldn't make it up, could you?
08:42As he attempts a tight corner with a 60-foot canal boat.
08:47Go on.
08:47Go on.
08:48Go on.
08:48Go on.
09:017am.
09:03And after an overnight pit stop.
09:05Ready, Rob?
09:07Bip.
09:07Yeah, when you are, kid.
09:10Bip.
09:11It's full speed ahead for Mark and his precious payload.
09:15A 60-foot-long kernel boat.
09:18Yeah, go on.
09:18Go on.
09:19Go on.
09:19Go on.
09:19Go on.
09:20Go on.
09:20Go on.
09:20Go on.
09:20Go on.
09:21Go on.
09:21Bip.
09:25So here we are on the final bit of the journey from Wakefield down to Seoul Junction.
09:31Mark might be banking on a smooth run as he sails towards Seoul Junction Marina.
09:48But sat between him and the boat's new berth lies a labyrinth of tight country lanes and little room for error.
09:56If you get to them lanes and meet a lorry coming the other way or a van, you can't get past each other.
10:04So that's where it could be a bit tricky.
10:07An hour later, it's crunch time.
10:10As Mark and wingman Rob near the turn-off to that twisty rural roads.
10:16I'll get down to this roundabout and I'll call Rob round.
10:19And he'll go in front and then take over.
10:21Time for Rob to roll up his sleeves and take the reins.
10:25Do you want to come round in a minute, Rob?
10:28Yeah.
10:28As soon as I see a break, mate, we'll come through you.
10:31I'll get over here, mate.
10:32Come past me.
10:35We've just called Rob round now.
10:37He'll go in front.
10:41Having barely inches to spare and 23 tonnes of boat on his back,
10:47Mark's only hope of successfully winding his way through these narrow lanes
10:51is to have Rob acting as an early warning system.
10:56It does make it easier with the escort vehicle in front.
10:59You couldn't do it on your own, really.
11:01Not down lanes like this.
11:05That's the first lorry.
11:06But he's used a bit of brains and he's stopped to loose us through.
11:15Cars never slow down, look, as you can see.
11:19Good thing the lads make a solid team.
11:23You what, Rob?
11:24Just ground this bend.
11:26OK, mate.
11:27Tight bends and blind spots up ahead
11:30could easily turn this countryside crawl into a catastrophe.
11:36Them two bends, Rob, if you want to get round them two bends
11:40and just stop them coming round, just give me a shout, yeah?
11:43Yeah, no worries, no worries.
11:46Up here, there's two nasty bends,
11:48so we'll let Rob get round the bends and just stop them.
11:52That's the way you don't want to meet anybody.
11:54I'll hang back here, Rob, just give me a shout, yeah?
11:55Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
11:57No worries, mate, hang on a second.
12:01Right on cue.
12:02Rob clocks an impending peril.
12:06We want to turn left and he wants to come out there.
12:10A what, a buzz?
12:12A little, little country buzzes, them little small ones.
12:16Do you want to send him down then, mate?
12:17Just tell him I'll hang on here.
12:20You see, there's a buzz coming down, so we'll hang on here.
12:23Rob quickly warns the bus driver.
12:25Of the extra-wide load up her head.
12:29He said, if you go down, he'll wait for you round the other side of them bends.
12:32All right.
12:33All right, mate.
12:34Is that where the bar down is he?
12:35He's the other side of them bends.
12:37He's waiting there for you to come past him.
12:39Yeah, all right, mate.
12:39Yeah, he's on his way down now, mate.
12:42That's a funny buzz.
12:44He's here.
12:45All clear now, yeah?
12:47Come on, mate, come on.
12:48Better not rip the side of the buzz out.
12:57He wouldn't be happy.
12:58Happy to have avoided a nasty bump with the bus, Mark's onward march to the marina continues.
13:08But as the lads get closer, they're soon facing an extremely tight turn that could easily spell trouble.
13:15What's his van doing here, Rob?
13:18You couldn't make it up, could you?
13:20You couldn't.
13:21Rob takes up position to guide Mark around.
13:25It's now when sharp eyes and top teamwork really count.
13:32Steady, steady.
13:35I'll try not to run Rob over.
13:37OK, Rob, back end.
13:39Yeah, yeah, go on, mate.
13:40Go on, go on.
13:41Go on.
13:43Truck and trailer piloted with precision.
13:46The seasoned pro eventually conquers the corner.
13:50I got pretty about brilliant.
13:52I am brilliant, are I?
13:53God, I feel like I've run a marathon this morning.
13:58Come on, hurry up.
13:59There's traffic coming down, you're blocking the road.
14:02Good old Rob.
14:06Hello.
14:07Are you going to the gym the weekend or ain't going to bother?
14:11I think I'll have enough energy.
14:15I just think you're getting paid for keeping fit.
14:17Luckily for Rob, there's now just a short sprint left before they land their load.
14:26Right, so we're nearly here now.
14:29Rob will stop the traffic by the bridge so I can turn into the yard.
14:33I don't want Rob doing any more running.
14:35He's done enough this morning.
14:36After the morning's marathon manoeuvres, Mark's praying the last stretch will be smooth.
14:42That's the final bit now, into the yard.
14:46Watch me down and take his fence down as you go in.
14:50Waiting patiently for him is a colossal crane, all crewed up and ready to capture his cargo.
14:57Right, so we're here, all in one piece.
15:02All that's left to do now is get all the chains and straps off.
15:06And then Barry will get it slung and put in the water.
15:15Every day, hundreds of hauliers make their way across Britain's motorways.
15:21Don't line up properly, it will derail.
15:23But sometimes the road runs out, and the only way to keep the cargo moving is by sea.
15:30So you are going in the middle, yeah?
15:32Good.
15:35Operating out of Southampton, Red Funnel Ferries have been running a lifeline link to the Isle of Wight for over 160 years.
15:45The original ferry operator to the island, the firm now shifts over 800,000 vehicles across the Solent every year.
15:55And one of the vessels, doing the heavy lifting for this critical crossing, is the Red Kestrel.
16:02Powered by twin Cummings 969-kilowatt engines, and driven by two Rolls-Royce thrusters,
16:11this 75-metre mean marine machine can carry up to 12 full-size HGVs, all at once.
16:19At its helm this morning is lead master Brett.
16:25Having once crossed the Solent for family holidays as a child, he now makes that same journey for a living.
16:34It seemed a great thing to do, so I got interested, I set off, did my cadetship, and ended up here 17 years ago.
16:42And absolutely love the job.
16:44It's just gone 4am, and the Red Kestrel's engines are rumbling.
16:59So you can take the traffic on board for the first morning sailing.
17:06A steady stream of trucks and trailers roll on board, each guided to a precisely marked slot,
17:12ensuring an equal weight distribution for the crossing.
17:19Vehicles perfectly positioned, Brett gives the all clear to set sail.
17:26OK, on the move.
17:28On the move.
17:30As the Red Kestrel slips her moorings and heads towards open water,
17:35it's vital Brett stays vigilant for any vessels that might stray into their path.
17:40We've got the Red Osprey passing dockhead as well.
17:44I'll stick close to Town Quay for the Taipan.
17:48Stay close to Town Quay, yes.
17:50Hazards safely navigated.
17:53So now we can move across to our centre console and take control from the middle.
17:59It's full steam ahead for a 60-minute crossing to East Cowes Harbour.
18:04Right, still looking good.
18:15You are on track.
18:17Mass room bridge, yeah.
18:18We are approaching the entrance now.
18:22They may now have daylight on their side,
18:25but Brett and Chief Officer Constantine must keep in constant contact with control
18:31as they begin the delicate task of entering port.
18:35Roger, outbound. Thank you.
18:39Being one of the biggest vessels to enter the harbour.
18:42Now thinking about what the wind's doing, what the tide's doing.
18:46Brett must now calculate every inch of the Red Kestrel's approach with pinpoint precision.
18:52The wind has come round to the east today,
18:56so it's going to be blowing us away from the berth,
18:58so I've got to bear that in mind as I'm approaching.
19:01I'm also looking what other vessels are moving around at the moment.
19:06As the truck-laden trawler closes in on its berth...
19:11Very good morning again, ladies and gentlemen.
19:13We'll shortly be arriving in East Cowes.
19:15Brett shifts over to the bridge wing to give himself a better line of sight.
19:22I've now got full control of the vessel from this wing.
19:25I can see nicely down the side of the ship.
19:28I can see our berth.
19:30So I've got very good vision from here.
19:35Using controls to operate the propellers,
19:38Brett's relying on nothing more than skill and a sharp pair of eyes
19:42to manoeuvre the ferryload of lorries towards the dock.
19:46We don't have any cameras here or any parking sensors.
19:50It's all done by eye.
19:51He knows there's no margin for error here.
19:55Just lining up the ship, keeping it nice and parallel to our berth.
20:00And slowing her down at the same time.
20:03Luckily, he doesn't have to do it alone.
20:06And we have Nicole standing down at the front end of the ship there,
20:12guiding us in.
20:13She'll give us a countdown until we're in position.
20:16Three.
20:16Three.
20:17Two.
20:18Two.
20:19One.
20:20One more.
20:23In position.
20:25Kestrel in position.
20:26Make fast.
20:26It's another textbook docking for the crew of the Red Kestrel.
20:34OK, that's the ship alongside, safely at our links van.
20:38Once the ship's all tied up, we can then start opening the bow doors
20:41and the discharge of the traffic begins.
20:45But Brett and the crew can't rest on their laurels.
20:49Clock ticking.
20:50They need to clear the deck so the next bunch of truckers can board.
20:54In the summer, we get a sort of ten-minute turn around
20:57to turn the ship around, but we've got to do it safely.
21:00That's the most important thing.
21:12Studley, Warwickshire.
21:14An historic village in the heart of Shakespeare's county.
21:19Unchanged in centuries, this rural enclave
21:22remains free from the rigours of the modern world.
21:26But on the outskirts of this peaceful community...
21:30A team of experts are tooled up for some of the toughest tests
21:38in modern times.
21:42This is Allerley's Heavy Orledge,
21:45a transportation company that likes to do things big.
21:48Really big.
21:53And back in 2022,
21:56we joined their team on a mega move.
22:00It's late afternoon on the northwest coast
22:03in Barrow-in-Furnace.
22:04The lads are stealing themselves for a long night
22:15and the arrival of an extremely large load.
22:23A vessel is on its way into port.
22:26On board, a 137-tonne cylinder
22:30destined for a manufacturing plant.
22:32The cylinder is so heavy
22:36that getting it off the vessel
22:37requires a super-sized crane
22:40with some serious lifting capability.
22:44The team have just the thing.
22:49The Lieber LG 1550.
22:52One of the largest cranes in the world.
22:54Under the shell,
22:57an eight-cylinder,
22:58598-horsepower engine.
23:01Over the bonnet,
23:03a boom reach of up to 184 metres
23:06and lifting capability of 550 tonnes.
23:11Yeah, I'm happy.
23:17The crane is currently in bits.
23:20It's so big
23:20that it needs a specialist team of riggers to build
23:23and a small fleet of lorries to carry.
23:26To build one giant crane,
23:29you need a second, smaller one.
23:34The 1550's baby brother,
23:37the 200,
23:38holds the four mats into position.
23:40The team then sets to work,
23:44lifting the mammoth pieces of metal
23:46that need to be slotted together
23:48to form the lifting boom.
23:50Get in the last piece of the boom one.
24:14If it's not balanced correctly,
24:16the entire structure
24:18could simply topple into the sea.
24:24To prevent their shiny new crane
24:26entering a watery grave,
24:28the team sets up a series of counterweights.
24:32A whopping 160 tonnes of ballast is needed
24:35to keep the crane on dry land.
24:40As the sun begins to set
24:42over the northwest coast,
24:44the crane is up
24:45and the crew is almost ready.
24:49Pinch up a tiny bit.
24:52The timing couldn't be better.
24:55The vessel is coming into port
24:56and a brand new crane
24:58is about to be put through its paces.
25:01Coming up...
25:05I think one was about it.
25:07Mark and the crew get all rigged up
25:09for a big lift.
25:11Sometimes it can take a couple of times
25:13to get the balance.
25:14It depends if there's water in the boat.
25:16Brett's on high alert
25:17as he sets sail on the Solent.
25:20Occasionally we'll get paddle boarders
25:22and suddenly you find them
25:23coming very close to you.
25:25We say expect the unexpected.
25:27And sparks fly
25:28when a cylinder
25:29takes to the skunk.
25:31And down we go.
25:32After 180 miles
25:45of extra careful manoeuvres,
25:48Mark and his 60 foot long cargo
25:50have finally made it
25:52to the marina
25:52at Sol Junction.
25:55About all in one piece.
25:56No damages.
25:58So yeah, it's a big relief.
25:59Four sets of steel chains
26:01across the length of his bed
26:02have kept 23 tonnes of canal boats
26:05locked down and damage free.
26:08It ain't moved at all.
26:09It ain't moved nowhere.
26:11You can't move nowhere
26:12because these chains are solid.
26:14You've got the straps over the front.
26:16Stop it sliding forwards and backwards.
26:18So yeah, all good.
26:20Get all the chains off.
26:23I'll put it this way, Rob.
26:25Yeah, go, no problem.
26:26Once the restraints are removed,
26:28the crane crew
26:29can begin getting rigged up
26:31for the lift.
26:32Amazing job there, Rob.
26:34I know.
26:34I'm brilliant to roll with things.
26:35As you can see, Rob,
26:36it's on your next course.
26:38You're even held for the strap.
26:39Yeah.
26:40Good teamwork.
26:41Teamwork.
26:42I don't know what we're good at,
26:43but we're good at something.
26:47Crane's towering arm in position.
26:50I think one was about it.
26:52I think you can see there, yeah.
26:53The team sets about positioning straps
26:56at equal distances
26:57along the length of the load.
27:00Sometimes it can take a couple of times
27:01to get the balance.
27:03It depends if there's water in the boat.
27:04If there's water in the boat,
27:06they'll lift it,
27:07that she's level,
27:08and then slip it round nice and low.
27:12The lad's going to do a lift now.
27:15Everything in place.
27:16The lifting gear is pulled to tension.
27:18It's starting to lift now.
27:23And the shipment begins
27:25a slow skyward ascent.
27:29As you can see,
27:30nice, perfect lift.
27:33We like professionals.
27:38Anybody think we've done this job before now?
27:40This is the best bit
27:52when it's off my truck
27:54and going in the water.
27:58All bite correctly off me now.
28:00It's all on battery.
28:03Clear of the trailer,
28:05the crane slowly eases the canal boat
28:07closer to the water.
28:1028.
28:19Loads squared up with the dockside.
28:23Finally,
28:24it's splashdown.
28:32Well, we're all in the water.
28:34All good.
28:35Customers happy.
28:37So,
28:38nothing damaged,
28:39nothing broke.
28:40Can I get the marker boards?
28:42How you going to go?
28:42Yeah.
28:44I'd like to give Rob the orders, see.
28:46Keep him on his toes.
28:47Eh?
28:47While the boatyard boys take control of the barge,
28:53Mark and Rob can finally get ready to set sail.
28:58It's nearly, nearly as good as me.
29:00Just pack all the gear away.
29:04Put it up, right, nice and safe and off to the next one.
29:08Got the bungees and all?
29:10Say what?
29:10Yeah, the bungees.
29:11I'll go.
29:12Yeah, spot on.
29:14Give me a ballerkin.
29:14Back on the Isle of Wight,
29:27the pressure's on for lead master Brett
29:29and the crew of the Red Kestrel.
29:31In the summer,
29:33we get a sort of 10-minute turn around
29:35to turn the ship around,
29:36but we've got to do it safely.
29:37That's the most important thing.
29:40Down on the deck,
29:42crew member Nicole is in charge
29:44of getting the next load of lorries on board
29:46in record time
29:48for the return crossing to Southampton.
29:51That's another drop coming on.
29:53She has just minutes
29:54to fill this floating truck park.
29:57But with space at a premium,
29:59juggling their positions
30:00is like a game of Jenga.
30:03I've got two little vans,
30:04about the same size as well.
30:06We're going down a minute, isn't it?
30:07Yeah, you can send those as well.
30:11One poorly parked HGV
30:13could delay the entire departure.
30:16I can see what's coming on
30:18this time in the car park,
30:19but sometimes it's unpredictable.
30:21They just book stuff on
30:23or stuff times up.
30:24We've got the space.
30:25We'll take it.
30:26Boarding expertly executed.
30:30Nicole gives Brett the nod.
30:33Finish, shall I?
30:35Probably do shortly.
30:36Allowing him to begin prepping
30:38for the return sail
30:40across the Solent.
30:41Balfassos Cowes Harbour,
30:43Red Kestrel,
30:44shortly departing East Cowes Freight.
30:45Terminal, out of about.
30:47And closing doors, thank you.
30:50So doors are closed.
30:51Peter on, Lynx Fanny's on the rise.
30:53Standing by.
30:55OK, Kestrel, I'll go for a while.
30:57Very good.
31:00Port side clear.
31:01Port side clear.
31:01OK, on the move.
31:02On the move.
31:03Leaving port might look like plain sailing,
31:15narrow channels and shifting tides
31:17could easily cause a catastrophe.
31:21To ensure safe passage out of cows,
31:25the crew rely heavily on the nautical equivalent
31:27of road signs.
31:29We've got the navigational marks
31:31over the side.
31:32You can see the beacons and the red buoys
31:34on this side.
31:35And we'll have green lights
31:37on the opposite side.
31:39Their exit is also aided
31:41by highly advanced on-board equipment.
31:44We've got our radars here,
31:48and we've got our electronic charts
31:49on this side.
31:51And using the two,
31:52we can see the shape of the channel,
31:55the depth of the water.
31:58But even with the best technology
32:00at his fingertips,
32:01Brett still has other potential obstacles
32:04to keep an eye out for.
32:06Occasionally, we'll get paddle boarders
32:09coming across Cowes Harbour
32:10or jet skis,
32:11and suddenly you find them
32:12coming very close to you.
32:14We say expect the unexpected.
32:1912 nautical miles later,
32:22the red kestrel has its berth
32:25in Southampton back in sight.
32:28Right, if you just want to slow down a bit,
32:29see if you check the engines,
32:31the engines are responding.
32:36OK, control on the wing.
32:39You have control on the wing.
32:43Constantine closely tracks
32:45any changing conditions
32:46at this crucial stage.
32:49The wind is pushing you
32:50off the town key here.
32:53OK, thank you.
32:54Allowing Brett to adjust
32:56his approach accordingly.
32:59I can use the propellers
33:01to push us alongside to the berth,
33:04and we just need to drive up
33:06the rest of the way
33:06to the link span
33:07the last 50 feet or so.
33:11Down on deck,
33:13Nicole is standing by
33:14for the crucial final few feet.
33:17I'm just about to grab
33:18the messenger line
33:19which is going to pull me up
33:22to the main line
33:22and I'm going to link it
33:23onto this here,
33:26which is where I'm going
33:28to make fast to the line.
33:29as Nicole grabs hold
33:33of the messenger line.
33:3610, we'll do it.
33:38Constantine carefully
33:40cues Brett in
33:41for the approach.
33:433.
33:443.
33:452.
33:462 feet.
33:49Last one.
33:501 foot.
33:52In position, make fast.
33:53OK, and that's the ship
33:57safely alongside
33:58tying up again
33:59and we'll be ready
34:01shortly to start
34:02to discharge the traffic.
34:04As the trucks make tracks,
34:06leaving the high seas
34:08for the open roads,
34:09Brett's looking forward
34:10to clocking off
34:12and dinner
34:13with his other half.
34:15I don't know what
34:16my partner's cooked, actually.
34:17I'm popping over
34:17to hers after work.
34:19It'll be so nice.
34:20She'll cook this a nice.
34:21She's a good cook.
34:30Pinch up a tiny bit.
34:31On the northwest coast
34:33in Barrow-in-Furnace,
34:34final preparations
34:35are underway
34:36for a mammoth move.
34:39Tiny little bit.
34:41After constructing
34:42a brand new crane
34:43on the quayside,
34:44the crew are ready
34:45to test its mettle
34:46on a super-sized cylinder.
34:51The cylinder is a Yankee machine,
34:55a drum used as a giant dryer
34:57in the manufacturing
34:58of paper products.
35:00It's just under 6 metres high
35:02and weighs in at 137 tonnes.
35:07That's the same
35:07as 342 grand pianos.
35:12Getting off the vessel
35:13will be a delicate
35:14and dangerous process.
35:17Project manager Zach
35:18has made the journey north
35:19to help oversee
35:20the operation.
35:23We're going to
35:24slew round
35:24and put the crane boom
35:26over the vessel
35:27and load the lifting tackle.
35:29We're going to
35:30sling the load
35:31and then once we're ready
35:32to start lifting,
35:33we'll lift it out
35:33the vessel
35:34and put it onto the trailer.
35:36The trailer has been
35:37commandeered
35:37by veteran driver
35:39Cole.
35:40Can you drop
35:40that yellow line please, mate?
35:42It's his job
35:42to ensure
35:43that the giant cargo
35:44is safely locked
35:45and loaded
35:46for when it hits the road
35:47first thing tomorrow.
35:49It's a multi-action
35:50steering trailer.
35:52Every axle steers.
35:55Every axle's got
35:56its own independent suspension.
35:59But we control it
36:00from here.
36:02So when the load goes on,
36:04we'll be watching
36:04the gauges here
36:05to make sure
36:06it all sits on level.
36:09And then I can adjust
36:11the heights of the trailer
36:12according as well.
36:14To prevent the cylinder
36:16from moving
36:16on its voyage via sea,
36:18it's been welded
36:19to the floor of the vessel.
36:22Grinding equipment
36:23is hoisted on board
36:24and a team follows
36:26to free the cylinder
36:28from its metal moorings.
36:30And down we go.
36:35Once the team
36:37has freed the cylinder,
36:39the crane swings
36:40into gear.
36:42The giant 35-metre boom arm
36:44moves into position
36:46above the vessel
36:47and lowers the lifting
36:48beam and slings
36:49into place
36:50above the cylinder.
36:51The cylinder is going to clear
36:53them, pal.
36:53It's now
36:57that the operation
36:58reaches its most
36:59delicate phase.
37:01The slings slide
37:03over the cylinder
37:03and the crane
37:05takes the string.
37:07OK, so when you're ready.
37:09On the signal,
37:10137 tons
37:12takes to the skies.
37:17Thanks to the team's
37:18careful calculations,
37:20the cylinder
37:21is secure.
37:21Now it's a careful
37:23up and over
37:24to clear the vessel
37:25and line up the cylinder
37:26with Cole's trailer.
37:30OK, and hold of it.
37:32Luke, could you just
37:33check the centre
37:34of the trailer mark
37:34on the front, please?
37:38It's got to go to me.
37:39Attach, Luke.
37:40Yeah.
37:41Hold it there.
37:42Hold it there.
37:43The crane operator
37:44holds the cylinder
37:45just millimetres
37:47above the lorry,
37:48allowing Cole and the team
37:49to line it up perfectly
37:50on the trailer's axles.
37:53What I'm watching now
37:54is these gauges.
37:58As the light goes on it,
38:00you want to make sure
38:00it's coming down evenly
38:02on the trailer.
38:06Yeah, another 20.
38:07Yeah, another 20.
38:08I'm happy with that.
38:11It's just three miles
38:13to the cylinder's
38:14final destination,
38:16but a journey
38:16that will throw up
38:18more than its fair
38:19share of challenges.
38:20I want to get
38:21a couple of chimes on you.
38:22All Cole needs to do now
38:24is secure the cargo
38:25and get a good night's sleep.
38:28There'll be a lot
38:29of concentration tomorrow.
38:30Coming up...
38:39We're all ready
38:39to roll, will we?
38:40Cole gets ready
38:41for a showdown.
38:43I'm going to slow
38:43right down,
38:44so I can take this right.
38:45Between a set
38:46of traffic lights
38:47and a super-sized cylinder.
38:50Try it,
38:50nice and steady,
38:51and I mean steady.
38:52Come on.
39:00Hold it there.
39:05Hold it there.
39:07On the north-west coast,
39:10a monster crane
39:11has been called
39:11into action.
39:13I'll have to be with that.
39:14A giant Yankee dryer
39:15has been loaded
39:16onto Cole's lorry.
39:18This morning,
39:19it needs to be delivered
39:20to the factory
39:21in Barrow-in-Furnace,
39:22where it will play
39:23a key role
39:24in the drying
39:25of freshly manufactured paper.
39:27We're just setting
39:29the trailer up there,
39:30ready for the road move.
39:31Hopefully,
39:31it won't be too long
39:32before we'll be able
39:33to start making the move.
39:34The journey
39:35is just three miles,
39:37but we'll need
39:37all of Cole's
39:38considerable skills
39:39behind the wheel.
39:43Hey, mate,
39:44we're all ready
39:44to roll, are we?
39:45Yeah.
39:46Yep.
39:47The factory manager
39:48is expecting
39:49his shiny new cylinder
39:51to be delivered
39:52by lunchtime.
39:54Cole kicks into gear,
39:56and the convoy
39:57is a go.
40:00We're making progress now.
40:07With the trailer
40:08on the back,
40:09Cole's pulling
40:0924 metres of truck.
40:12Got some parked cars
40:14on the near side,
40:14so I'll be out
40:15in the middle
40:15of the road a bit.
40:18Slow and steady
40:20is the mantra
40:21for this convoy.
40:22Clear the cars
40:23on your left now.
40:23Yankee Dryer
40:26is 137 tonne,
40:28so sitting on the trailer
40:31with the weight
40:31of the trailer,
40:32we're looking
40:32at 166 tonne.
40:36You wouldn't want
40:36it on your toe.
40:39We have got a lorry
40:40up here
40:41that might potentially
40:42be in the way
40:43because we've got
40:43the parked cars
40:44the other side as well.
40:45We just have to get up
40:46near it and see.
40:47Unexpected obstacles
40:49have the potential
40:50to cause huge delays
40:51and angry phone calls
40:53from impatient clients.
40:55Hopefully the police
40:56might be full of them.
40:58Faced with a policeman
40:59and more than
41:00160 tonnes of truck
41:01in his rear-view mirror,
41:03the driver
41:04makes a wise decision.
41:06The policeman's
41:07just getting him
41:07to move now.
41:08So far,
41:11it's all been
41:12plain sailing.
41:16Right,
41:17turning left
41:18on these next lights.
41:20But approaching fast,
41:21that tight left-hander
41:23onto the A590.
41:25We've got a very tight
41:27turn
41:28between these
41:29traffic lights.
41:32I'm going to slow
41:33right down
41:34so I can attack
41:36this right.
41:38As Cole nears
41:39the turn,
41:40Rob takes up
41:41position by
41:42the traffic lights
41:43to help
41:43guide him round.
41:48Thank you,
41:49good call, mate.
41:52Just keep it tight
41:53over here.
41:53It should be all right.
41:54Keep coming.
41:55On the right,
41:56Cole has to avoid
41:57the traffic island
41:58with safety rail
41:59and bollards.
42:01I'll say
42:01keep it, mate.
42:02On the left,
42:03the traffic light
42:04provides little room
42:06for manoeuvre.
42:06You know that steer
42:08in the wafer,
42:08look,
42:09don't you?
42:11Yeah,
42:11I know,
42:12but try it
42:14nice and steady
42:14and I mean steady.
42:16Go on.
42:17Go on.
42:19Keep it going.
42:21Keep it going.
42:23Keep it,
42:23hold it there.
42:24Hold it there.
42:24It's just at the point
42:25here.
42:26It's not quite going
42:26to bring it away
42:27in time.
42:28I need a little bit.
42:29Just a little bit.
42:30The turning circle
42:32on a lorry this long
42:33is simply too great
42:35to negotiate the corner.
42:37I might just want
42:38to bring the back end
42:38over just a little bit,
42:40Cole.
42:41Luckily,
42:42the trailer comes
42:43equipped with
42:44an optional extra.
42:46We'll just have to
42:47put the steering on
42:48for that bit
42:48and hold you there
42:50now, mate.
42:51We'll have enough room.
42:52Each of the trailer's axles
42:53can be operated
42:55independently
42:55of the main cap.
42:57Have you got me
42:58on the radio, Cole?
43:00Yeah, mate.
43:02OK, mate,
43:02then you're ready.
43:03Take the forwards, please.
43:07Steering the trailer
43:08now to navigate
43:09it round here.
43:10Using your remote
43:11control,
43:12Rob locks the trailer's
43:14wheels to move it
43:14away from the traffic
43:16light,
43:17while Cole rolls
43:19the entire lorry
43:20forwards.
43:22The manoeuvre
43:23gives the team
43:24an extra two inches.
43:25Loads of room now.
43:26I'm going to bring it
43:26away.
43:27Yeah, that's it.
43:27And that's all
43:28Cole needs
43:29to clear the lights.
43:31Only needed
43:31a little flick
43:33just to get it round.
43:34Thanks to Rob's
43:35quick thinking
43:36and Cole's
43:36delicate handling,
43:38the Yankee dryer
43:39is all set
43:40to reach its destination.
43:42Bang on schedule.
43:43When you're ready,
43:44mate, you let me know
43:45and I'll straighten you up.
43:46That's one shiny cylinder
43:48signed,
43:49sealed
43:50and delivered.
43:53Next time.
43:54Good night.
43:55Mark takes on a
43:58titanic train move.
44:02So you're slow and steady
44:03and wing it on a prayer.
44:06They must traverse
44:07through central Glasgow.
44:10It's so long,
44:11we ain't going to make it
44:11in one turn.
44:12If we stayed in one lane,
44:13we're either ripping out
44:14the barriers or falling
44:15off the edge of the bridge.
44:17You get the wrong car
44:18at the wrong time,
44:19that's just awkward.
44:20While Dave navigates
44:23a single lane road.
44:25You don't run this
44:26on the grass or the bank
44:27because they'll throw
44:28the bag in
44:28and try it in the ditch.
44:30Pulling a delicate
44:3170-tonne transformer.
44:34If you throw
44:35the bag,
44:35it'll break hard
44:36so you'll set the
44:37shocks off
44:37on the machine.
44:38Outro Music
45:05You
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