'Windy boat proposal was challenging but worth it'

After a successful proposal, Simon Tite said getting Emma Francis's hand in marriage could not have "been any better"

A man who experienced a "challenging" marriage proposal with his now-fiancée in Jersey due to ferry cancellations and access restrictions says it was "worth it".

Simon Tite, 42, from Coventry, planned to propose to partner Emma Francis, 39, at Plemont Bay on Saturday for their sixth anniversary.

But Mr Tite said strong winds led to the cancellation of a ferry from Poole in Dorset and repair work meant they were unable to access his desired beach for the proposal.

However, after success when he popped the question on board a boat, he said: "It couldn't have been any better. Despite the fact it was challenging to get there, it was 100,000% worth it."

'Favourite place'

Mr Tite said Plemont was Miss Francis's "favourite place in the world".

He said the pair drove to Poole on Thursday with the intention of catching the Condor Ferry on Friday.

He said: "We got to Poole and all the ferries were cancelled because of the weather.

"I was like: 'I do not believe this'.

Mr Tite had been planning to propose on the couple's sixth anniversary

"I desperately booked flights for us to come on the Friday from Southampton."

Mr Tite said the proposal plans were met with another obstacle after he discovered access to the preferred beach was blocked off due to repair work.

He said he contacted the government's infrastructure department to see if it would allow them to access the beach to walk on it.

Officials said no due to safety reasons.

Mr Tite said he then arranged a boat ride for the proposal, adding he planned for the pair to swim into the bay

He said he hired wetsuits but the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) company said there "was no way" the pair could get into the water due to the strong winds.

Mr Tite said: "The wind and the waves were just amazingly massive."

Ms Francis said she had a "face like thunder" at one point during the day

He then popped the question on board the RIB at sea.

Miss Francis said: "I had a face like thunder because I'd been told, in February: 'You're gonna put a wetsuit on.

"Every turn it was: 'Oh, we're not doing this now.'

"I didn't know what was happening at all."

However, despite that the "bizarre" experience and eventually realising what was happening, Mrs Tite-to-be said the location was "perfect".