How to Remove a Large Tangle of Rope or Net from a Beach
This blog post describes some methods I have used to Remove a Large Tangle of Rope from a Beach. I also go on to describe some other methods you might use.
I have recently returned from Scotland, doing some volunteer work for People Against Plastic Pollution . For one entire day I worked to remove a 249kg rope tangle that had been thrown above the tide line.
Rope Tangle Removal Video
Perhaps the quickest way to show how I did it is with the below video.
The video shows:
- Untangling the rope,
- Cutting up the rope.
- Dragging rope to road head.
- Loading in to trailer.
We also show the rope being weighed. Most people wouldn't bother to do this.
Untangling the Rope
This is seldom worth doing, but on large ropes it can be worthwhile. Some filament net will be impossible to untangle.
Cutting Up a Tangle of Rope or Net from a Beach
I used a sharp knife to cut up the rope in to manageable chunks. I started off used an Opinel No.6. Which I have always found to be very good, but when it got blunt I switched to a Culinary Victorinox folding knife. This latter knife had a thinner cross section and cut through the rope a lot more easily.
Of course using a knife (although cheap and effective) has a couple of drawbacks.
- As you saw through the rope you do release some of the fibre that are then too small to pick up.
- You had will get very tiered.
- It is quite dangerous, you may cut yourself.
Alternatives might include:
- Using a "hot knife" to melt through the plastic rope of fishing net.
- Using a team of people to drag the entire rope of net off of the beach in one piece.
- Using a machine (excavator of tractor bucket) to lift the rope of net off the beach in one piece.
The below video shows student in South California removing filament net from a beach.
Dragging the Rope or Net to Road Head
For most people the route to a disposal point for the rope or net will involve road transport. Luckily on most beaches it is quite easy to drag collected plastic along the beach to a point where a skip, trailer, or truck can be parked.
However for very remote locations it has been known to use helicopters (see below video), or as we are planning next year a boat to haul out the plastic rubbish from beach.
Other Ideas for Getting Rope and Net from Beach
Here is a further list of ideas for getting plastic rope and nets from beaches:
- Hire an excavator and to dig out buried rope and net.
- Use a quad bike and trailer to tow waste off of sure.
- Use a winch to drag bags or clumps or net and rope along beach (dangerous)
- Dumper trucks (tracked and wheeled)
- Ask a farmer to tow a trailer down to beach.
- Use a helicopter.
- Use a landing craft to access beach from the sea.
