Stuck in water hazard

[drmagico]

I got to the point where there is open space and the chopper is shooting at me. I climb up a ladder and turn the wheel to open the gate but when I let go of the wheel the gate goes down. Is there another way out or do I have to jam the gate somehow?

 

[mongoloido]

i think you just need to turn the wheel longer. once it's all the way open, i think it clicks into place.... i think.

 

[Phil The Kill]

First off, take out the chopper completely. Just keep maneuvering your airboat behind rocks when it comes to strafe and dodging the drop bombs. Eventually you kill the chopper, then you can take the time to open the gate with the wheel. Until the gate is all the way up and locked, it will fall down every time you let go of the wheel.