(A short story limited to 4000 words)
“I didn’t think I was going to die this way!” were the words that went racing through his mind as the sea eagerly engulfed him and he sunk deeper into the blue-black waters.
Ron felt the sea accept him within its raw embrace with no malice. The distance of the dive from the deck carried him several feet below the surface. It was as awkward an entry as when he was a child at his first attempt at the high dive. Time seemed to have slowed down. It was all in slow motion as he registered what was happening. The salty taste of the sea was in his mouth, he could feel it burning his slashed arm. He opened his eyes. He might as well have been blind. Ron held his breath against the urgency of his lungs. They had been crushed almost empty and screamed for air. He sunk lower.
Automatic response took hold and he began to claw to the surface with all his physical and mental power. As he surfaced on the crest of a wave he watched his 40 foot Columbian, under full sail, tack away on its own adventure, the flames now swirling to the top of the mast oblivious to the trouble it was leaving behind. A scene that would forever be indelibly inscribed on his brain. The light from the burning ship played across the top of the waves behind the boat.
Before he had time to think the life raft, intact in its orange plastic casing, came surfing by him still attached to the burning ship with its umbilical cord. It had been released from its moorings at the stern of the sailboat and thrown overboard by his two companions both diving in after. It was supposed to self-release. He had not had time to throw the other dinghy over before he had responded to Tina’s call to jump. They were days from any land with no hope of survival without the raft. It was their sole hope for life.
Every winter three close friends got together to sail the Caribbean. It had been a ritual for many years. Ron owned the forty foot Columbian living aboard it at the Big Pine Marina. He owned and worked the Really Livin’ Construction Company. His best mate Eddie owned the Summerland Key Fish Company two islands down and Tina owned a surf shop in Key Largo. Eddie was in his late thirty’s, Tina in her mid-twenties while Ron claimed 50, all very fit and Florida tanned. When the winter tourists began to confiscate the Keys all three made a point to get together for a couple of months and escape south.
They sailed with the Gulf Steam current making the loop from the Keys northeast to the Bahamas, south to Jamaica, then turning west to Grand Cayman and the island of Cozumel, Mexico. The “Dove” was a roomy boat with cabins for all three and always fitted out with a larder of food and drink for the journey. She was a dream to sail and live on. Lots of peaceful times, lots of rum, good food and plenty of laughs were the major schedule of events aboard.
This was the tail end of their winter holiday and they were on the way home. A fantastic dinner followed by a great California zinfandel had just been enjoyed. They toasted another successful trip already making plans for the following year. They had left the island of Cozumel, Mexico before sunset heading for the narrow passage between Cuba and Mexico riding the Gulf Stream home to the Keys. Usually about a three days sail.
The trouble all began a short time after the end of Ron’s eleven to three watch.
“Ron, Ron! the boat is full of smoke!” Ed exclaimed as he shook him awake!
Bolting out of the forward “V” berth Ron saw there was a definite problem. Black smoke was swirling up from the engine room hatch located in the floor of the boat’s living area. Not to worry as there were thirteen fire extinguishers aboard all having been inspected before they had left.
Ron immediately grabbed the closest extinguisher. With a movement of his head he indicated to Eddie to open the hatch . Ron stood ready poised to snuff the flames the moment he could locate them. As Eddie jerked the hatch open flame and sparks could be seen at an electrical connection by the engine. Aiming the extinguisher at the spot Ron squeezed the handle. Nothing happened! He squeezed again and again but nothing happened! Before either had time to think all hell broke loose.
When the hatch was opened it created a draft of air that poured into the engine compartment. Within seconds what had been a spark became a dense cloud of black billowing smoke filling the entire boat’s interior to the point of blindness. The flames had multiplied in size and intensity and were forcing their way out.
Ron threw down the extinguisher and tried to reach the IPERB to set off a distress signal. It was impossible as the smoke and flames were so heavy now both Ron and Eddie were almost overcome. Dropping to the floor, choking in the black smoke, they blindly crawled toward the ladder to gain access to the outside deck. Only seconds had passed and the heat and flames were becoming intense. Eddie had sucked in a huge amount of smoke and was having a hard time breathing.
Tina, alerted to what was happening escaped through the back cabin’s hatch out of harm’s way. Coughing and spluttering Ed and Ron scrambled to the deck dense smoke in hot pursuit. Ron attempted to reach inside and grab the radio but was driven back. Ron and Eddie now began to frantically throw buckets of water dipped frantically from the sea by Tina. The fire was way beyond that. They were in for it. They knew there was only one way out.
With the boat under full sail and in automatic pilot they were being carried along their intended route. The wind whipped the flames into a maelstrom below and were seeking a purchase on the upper deck. A sailor’s worst nightmare had come true.
Ed and Tina frantically began unbolting the life raft container on the rear deck to throw it overboard. It was designed to be jerked free by the cord attached to the boat and release the life raft inside when hitting the water and extending to full length. A CO2 canister inside would then automatically fill the double layered pontoons with air. It was a three person raft with a rubber roof that popped over the top when fully inflated. The model used by NASA for their returning astronauts.
Ron crawled rapidly over the deck, now almost too hot to touch, the portholes having had their covers blown away by the force of the fire below. Flames were dancing out every opening. He was scrambling forward to cut loose the rubber dinghy roped to the fore deck. It would serve as a backup in case the life raft didn’t work as it should.
He knew the life raft hadn’t been checked for years as it was his responsibility. No one ever has a fire aboard. If they made it through this one he vowed there would never be another time he didn’t make sure all was perfect. One always has great after thoughts!
Ron heard Tina’s screams to jump overboard. He assumed the life raft had released from its plastic casing and all was under control. Little did he know that was not the case.
As he surfaced and saw the life raft being towed away he knew he was watching the only opportunity they would have to survive disappearing behind a burning boat under full sail.. Ron had spent the last twenty years in the Florida Keys working, diving, fishing and sailing. He was in excellent shape. This time, adrenaline flowing, his swimming performance would have beaten Mark Spitz to the gold. After all it was the only shot they had. He wrapped himself around the life raft container like an octopus. No way was he about to let go. Ron was trying to keep from being submerged by the towed container and still hold on rolling and pitching with every turn gulping air and water almost equally.
He began pulling at the cord from inside the raft container. As he would push himself back above water he would pull. Finally the cord burned loose at the sailboat end leaving him in more control. The cord finally reached a point where it stopped tight.
“Well, this is it do or die!” he thought. With gritted teeth he gave the supreme effort. The cord, wrapped tightly around his hand, pulled free from the container setting off a minor explosion inside. The orange plastic casing blew away and disappeared into the depths. Ron was left gripping a rapidly inflating life raft. He was finally able to finally take some well earned lungs full of much needed air. Ron clung to the side of the raft and slowly got his breath back. He was breathing heavy. With his head at sea level waves hit him full in the face every few seconds.
He no longer was able to see the sailboat except for the fire’s glow at the horizon. It would take a couple of hours to burn to the waterline and go under. Never would he see her again.
It was to become just another piece of debris on the ocean bottom taking its place with the many Spanish fleets that had succumbed to hurricanes in their sail north laden with treasures from the mines of South America. The treasure he lost was his uninsured boat and everything else he owned that was aboard.
The “Dove” would be missed along with everything else including his clothes. While under sail his usual dress was a pair of Speedo trunks during the day with a T-shirt added at night. When going to bed he would take off the Speedos and sleep either naked or just in the T-shirt. Tonight he had just the T-shirt on. Not exactly how one wishes to be shipwrecked.
The pontoons reached their full capacity but the life raft was riding the waves upside down. It was designed with a heavy rubber bottom for stability so it couldn’t be overturned in rough conditions. Great idea but much handier if it had inflated upright.
Ron struggled to pull it upright to no avail. Diving under the life raft he maneuvered inside and tried to use his weight to leverage it over. He wasn’t having much luck.
It was then he heard Tina outside calling his name. Answering her he dived back under and joined her outside. He explained the problem. Pulling together they were both able to drag the boat upright. Getting in was another matter. With absolutely no leverage it was difficult trying to crawl up the soft rubber sides of the double tiered pontoons.
Finally Ron got under Tina and with what little strength left he was able to push her up and into the boat. With her help he too finally crawled into the boat. Both were winded and between gulps of air and wiping the water from their eyes they calmed down. It was only then did they have time to talk.
”Where’s Eddie,” Ron asked, What happened after you went overboard?”
Tina told him how after they jumped in she saw the life boat being dragged away. She tried to follow. Eddie had been beside her when they first jumped but was almost unable to breathe. He had sucked in a lot of the electrical smoke not to mention all the sea water. She said he was coughing and trying to breathe and struggling to stay afloat. Intent on catching the life raft she lost contact with him in the dark. She explained why she called him to jump. It looked as if he was in the flames from where she was.
Ron and Tina shouted and cried out Eddie’s name repeatedly. Miraculously out of the night they saw him struggling toward them. When Ed reached the boat he was almost through. He couldn’t help them. Ron and Tina used all of their remaining strength to finally drag his, limp but alive, three hundred pound body onboard. It began to rain. It was a light rain. The waves began to increase in size.
Ed’s lungs had been damaged but soon his coughing lessened and his breathing became more stable. As he laid and recovered Tina and Ron had a look in the emergency ration bag. A six pack of water, a bag of crumbly cookies, four flares, a compass, a directional mirror, a fishing line and a pair of oars were found. Their survival gear. At least they were alive. The rains increased. They were glad for the rubber roof over their head.
There wasn’t any extra room. Even though Tina was a small woman the bulk of both Eddie and Ron would have easily used up all the room available. As it was Eddie was spread out across the bottom half dead. Tina and Ron sat up trying not to use up too much room.
As was Ron’s habit, before retiring from watch the location of the boat was checked and marked on the chart. Just after sunset they had passed through the narrow pass between Cuba and Mexico heading north. They were in the Gulf of Mexico southwest of the Florida Keys. Ron figured he knew the currents and they would take them one of three ways.
If in the Gulf Stream they would be carried north toward the Keys in a few days. Another current cuts back east and it would land them in Cuba. The third would circle west and put the raft somewhere on a Mexican beach. Ron also knew this region of the ocean was a major traffic area for freighters. He was fairly confident in their rescue. Little was he aware that he was so wrong about the current they were in.
Eddie’s lungs were the major worry plus Ron was concerned about the knife wound in his arm. Infection comes very easily in tropical waters. Lying on the rubber raft bottom on the ocean surface also exposed them to hypothermia. It may be the tropics but the water temperature on the raft bottom was only in the high 70’s. The warmth of the body soon gets sapped. One can easily die.
Ron with his T-shirt, Eddie had his shorts and a T-shirt on and Tina was in her panties and a T-shirt. They were not an overly dressed lot. They were already beginning to feel the chill cheered on by the shock of what had happened.
There was no panic or complaining. They settled in for the long wait.
Within the hour lights of a freighter a mile or so away were spotted. “Quick a flare!” Ron said excitedly as he motioned to Tina. He positioned himself on his knees and hung outside the opening of the raft top. He was getting soaked by the rain. Waves rocked the little craft. Tina was supporting him her hands around his waist.
Tina had grabbed the package of four flares and put them in Ron’s hands. Grabbing one, pulling the cap off and striking it, Ron held the flare over his head and aimed in the sky toward the freighter. A flash and a brilliant white flare shot skyward settling back down slowly to die in the sea.
Someone on the freighter spotted it immediately and it turning toward them. Grabbing another flare Ron pulled the cap and struck! Nothing happened! It didn’t work! He grabbed the next and again it didn’t work. He cussed himself once again for not having had the life raft checked every year.
Meanwhile the weather was turning into a raging storm. The waves began to grow in intensity whitecapping to eight feet. The life raft held well and was surfing through the sea from one wave top to the other. It seemed they could almost touch the side of the freighter as it passed by. They could make out individuals on the deck above but the raft was hidden in the waves, by the darkness and the storm tossed sea.. They shouted, waved their arms and yelled but to no avail.
“That’s okay,” Ron said, “there will be other freighters see us after daylight. It won’t be long now.” They pulled the top closed and secured themselves inside from the storm as best they could. They were all drenched. Eddie lay sprawled across most of the floor area not moving. Tina and Ron huddled side by side trying to keep each other warm.
Minutes later, closed up inside their rubber cocoon safe from the storm that was now raging outside the raft lurched and tipped and came crashing down from off the bow waves of a freighter way too close. They were almost destroyed by a collision.
Daylight came, the storm raged, the waves were mountains. They were next to invisible to any freighter. Even so they still felt safe and secure in knowing they were in a current that would push them into land somewhere in a few days. So Ron thought.
Five days they spent crammed together in the life raft. They mostly spoke of their many adventures over the years. They laughed and kept their spirits high. If they could have been overheard they had probably been judged crazy.
One always wonders the reaction when under life threatening pressures. As survivors they were somewhere on top of the heap. Each had mentally turned off any physical desire for food and water. At nights they froze huddled together for warmth. No one slept with any degree of reality. Eddie began breathing almost normal again.
He could take a breath without his lungs feeling as if they would burst. No one panicked or complained. In the daylight hours they would look outside only to be confronted with giant white capped waves that dwarfed their little raft. A bleak gray sky and matching steel colored waves kept them hidden most of the time. The rains kept coming. Finally on the late afternoon of the fifth day they started to feel the waves begin to slowly dissipate. For the first time that night they could see stars and a sky beginning to clear.
The first morning light of the sixth day they were greeted with a blue sky, sunshine and a smoother ocean. The waves had subsided to a couple of feet in height. No longer were their tops being ripped to white froth by the wind but rolled gently. Ron, Tina and Ed took turns jumping into the ocean and bathing. No sharks spotted. The mixture of salt and fresh water that lay in the bottom of the boat was the color of dirty gray dish water. The filth had built up from the three bodies that had spent the last five days being swished around in it twenty four hours a day. The conditions were horrendous.
The wound in Ron’s arm was swollen red. There had been no relief from the relentless cold rain and splashing sea water. With a T-shirt they began swabbing out the filthy water rinsing it over the side in the ocean. Finally with great effort and assistance by the warming sun the interior was dry, warm and comfortable for the first time since they had came aboard.
Being warm and dry was beyond the ultimate luxury. It was heaven. They joked about getting a pizza delivery. Ed was feeling much better. Everyone luxuriated in the warm rays of the sun. Ron drifted off into a sound sleep for the first time in five days.
“Ron! Ron!,” Tina’s voice penetrated his deep sleep, “Quick! Get up! Look! It’s a freighter!”
Sure enough off on the horizon several miles away steaming south was a great black ship. Grabbing the mirror from the emergency pack and sitting on Eddie’s back, supported by Tina, Ron began flashing the mirror directly at the freighter.
No sooner had he got in a few flashes a cloud moved in and blocked the sun. To their good fortune the ship’s radio operator had stepped out for a smoke and spotted their first signals and informed the captain. They watched as the Exxon oil freighter, Baytown, did a slow turn and headed their way. They grabbed each other and cheered. Ron nervously continued flashing. It required over a mile for the freighter to stop. As they first passed within feet one of the crew, over a hailer, asked if there was need of a doctor. They screamed up at them standing 80 feet above them on the freighter rail that all was well. The crew was waving to them as they passed. Ron and Ed had grabbed the paddles and had begun chasing the freighter. The sailor on the loud speaker barked, “Don’t worry we will back up to get you.” With pure joy and excitement Eddie and Ron continued paddling!
The freighter backed down slowly until they stopped beside the life raft. A rope ladder was lowered for the occupant’s ascent back to civilization. The 10 story climb was easy. It was finally over.
Tina was sent up first. All the sailors on deck were leaning far over to watch her climb. Not every day they plucked a pretty blond lady dressed in panties and T-shirt from a drifting life raft. Ed labored up the side but was determined to make it on his own. Being naked except for his T-shirt Ron had taken it off and fastened it around himself like a diaper so he wouldn’t be too embarrassed when he got up there. The first words as he rolled over the top to the deck and lay panting were, “Next time I’m getting another travel agent!”
The worried and concerned looks of the rescuers turned to broad smiles and laughter as the three were escorted to the infirmary. Checked over and given shots by the doctor, showered and clothed in Exxon coveralls, fed to the maximum, the three survivors enjoyed the hospitality of the ship’s company for six days as it continued on to its destination in Panama. Ron was taken to the bridge. The Captain showed him on the chart where they had been found. Unknown to Ron there is a current that begins just north of the Gulf Stream in the Gulf of Mexico.
This current flows north and is located miles from any coastline. Like in a giant wash bowl it swirls around the interior of the Gulf of Mexico not touching any land. Anything caught floating in it remains there until it finally gets close to the current’s edge and is then disgorged outward toward land. Ron was told they could have circled around until perhaps finally hitting somewhere along the western edge of Florida. It could have been over a month before they saw land. He shivered at the thought.