Page 35 of Fire and Rain
“I see why.” Eden pointed to the black dorsal fin of an orca about a hundred yards to starboard. “The seal heard them coming and didn’t want to be lunch.”
They stayed for another hour, Sean catching a nice cod and Eden getting the yelloweye rockfish she’d wanted. But a bank of storm clouds was moving their way, gusty winds making for choppy seas. It was time for them to go.
They’d just rounded the southern tip of Long Island when a call came over the boat’s VHF radio.
“Pan-pan. Pan-pan. Pan-pan. This is the Sunfish. We’ve got four people onboard about a mile south of Woody Island. Our motor died, and we’re getting tossed around pretty bad.”
Eden turned to Sean. “That’s not far from here. We need to help them if we can.”
Sean took the handset. “Sunfish, this is the Sea Nymph. What’s the size of your vessel, over?”
“We are a twenty-foot cuddy cabin. I’m afraid these swells are going to flip us or drive us onto the rocks.”
“Switch to Channel Sixteen.” That was the channel the Coast Guard monitored. “We’re headed your way. Let’s see if we can haul you into the harbor. In the meantime, if you’ve got survival suits, put those on now.”
While Eden piloted theSea Nymphthrough the growing swells, Sean talked with the man to get more information about his situation and location, identifying himself as a Coastie. Then the Coast Guard joined in and said they were sending a boat.
“Sea Nymph, did you say you’re with the Coast Guard, over?” a voice asked Sean.
“Yes, sir. I’m Petty Officer Sean McKenna, and I’m a flight mech.”
“They’re in good hands. You’ll probably reach them before we do.”
That’s how it worked in Alaska. Everyone knew how treacherous the ocean could be. It didn’t take long for a person to become hypothermic and die in these waters. When someone was in trouble, everyone tried to help.
It took less than fifteen minutes for the other vessel to come into view.
Eden pointed. “There they are—one o’clock.”
“I see them.” Sean waved to the four men aboard the small boat, then conned Eden into position, lining up theSea Nymph’s stern with the other boat’s bow. It wasn’t easy, as the smaller craft rocked and turned helplessly in the water.
When they were lined up and in range, Sean motioned for the men to toss him the towline. He caught it and tied it to a bit on the transom of theSea Nymph. “We’re ready. Ease us forward, and let’s see how this goes.
In the distance, he saw the Coast Guard vessel. It came within a hundred yards and followed them, just to make sure everyone got safely home.
Twenty minutes later, they entered the calmer water of Kodiak Harbor, leaving the Coast Guard boat behind.
Eden brought the men close to the boat take-out, knowing they’d want to service their motor. Then Sean untied the tow cable and let it go, inertia carrying the other boat safely to the edge of the water.
“Thank you!” the men called to them, waving.
Eden turned theSea Nympharound, heading toward the marina to dock, her face flushed with excitement. “I’ve never done that before. It got my adrenaline flowing.”
The awkwardness that had stretched between them seemed to be gone now.
“You did a fantastic job. If you were nervous, you didn’t let it show.”
She smiled up at him, her dark hair blowing in the wind. “I had one of the Coast Guard’s finest with me.”
He grinned. “Have I mentioned that I’m an airman and not a seaman?”
Eden laughed. “Now he tells me.”
* * *
June 6
Eden settledMaverick in the living room with his blocks and loaded the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher, half listening to the local TV news. A fatal car accident on Monashka Bay Road. A minor temblor centered near Adak. Survivors of a small plane crash near Port Lions rescued by the Coast Guard.
