The John Clearwater Contractors' digger became stuck in thick, soft mud, while working on the shore.
Its operator, apart from confirming he was not having his best day, was not keen on any media attention and had more important matters to deal with.
"There's $100,000 worth of equipment in there," he said.
But as night closed in and a small group of onlookers gathered, a larger Hall Bros digger came to the rescue, dragging out the smaller machine with a chain.
A crane that also arrived was not required.