The Ghost Cruise

14 • Salvation at Last

As the fog began to thin, Jaxson, from the American team, squinted through the mist, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a dark silhouette looming in the distance. "Hey, Captain," he called out to his leader, Captain Miller, "I think I see something ahead."

Miller squinted through the fog, his heart racing with anticipation. "Let's move in closer," he instructed, guiding their boat and the others towards the mysterious shape in the distance.

As they drew nearer, the outline of a large ship slowly came into view, sending a ripple of excitement through the crew. "Holy smokes," one of the American crew members exclaimed, "looks like we found something!"

On the deck of the ghost ship, Blackwood's heart leapt into her throat as she spotted the approaching rescue boats through the dissipating fog. "Oh my God!" she cried, her voice trembling with relief.

A chorus of cheers erupted from both crews as they finally laid eyes on each other, their faces alight with hope and excitement. "It's- It's rescuers!" Blackwood exclaimed loudly. "The rescue teams are here!"

Captain Richards exchanged a triumphant grin with his crew as they neared the ghost ship. "Alright, everyone," he called out, his voice carrying across the water with a tone of relief, "Let's bring them home."

The tension on all boats was palpable as they closed the distance, the moment of rescue drawing near. For Blackwood and her crew, salvation was finally within reach, their ordeal at sea coming to an end.

Grace rushed to Gray's side in one of the cabins. "Gray, wake up," she urged, shaking his shoulder. "The rescuers are here. Help is finally here!"

Gray stirred, his eyes fluttering open weakly. "Rescuers?" he murmured, his voice hoarse and barely audible.

"Yes," Grace confirmed. "They've found us, Gray. We're going home," her eyes filled with tears as she spoke.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Gray's lips, and he struggled to sit up on the damp old bed. "Thank God," he whispered.

Grace's eyes brimmed with tears as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Hang in there, Gray," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion. "Help is on the way."

With a final squeeze, Grace hurried back to the deck. "They're here!" she shouted to the rescue teams, her voice ringing across the water. "We have a crew member who's sick and needs urgent medical attention. Please, hurry!"

Blackwood's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the rescue boats draw nearer. She knew she couldn't reveal too much about Gray's condition, not with the rest of her crew listening. But she also knew she had to convey the urgency of the situation.

"Gray needs medical attention," she called out to the approaching boats, her voice carrying across the water. "He's weak and needs help. Please, hurry!"

As the rescue teams sprang into action, Blackwood felt a surge of gratitude wash over her. The end of their harrowing ordeal was finally in sight, and she couldn't wait to see her crew safely aboard the rescue boats heading for home.

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Blackwood rushed back to the deck. "There's ladders on the other side of the ship!" she shouted to the rescue teams below. "You'd be better off approaching from there!"

The rescue teams quickly adjusted their plans, redirecting their efforts to the other side of the ship as Blackwood had suggested. With the ladders in place, they began to climb aboard, their movements swift and purposeful as they made their way towards the stranded crew.

Meanwhile, three medical personnel from the American team were the first to board the ship. The ship's eerie atmosphere sent shivers down their spines, but they remained focused on their mission to reach Gray and assess his condition.

As they moved through the dark corridors of the ship, their senses heightened by the tension and anticipation, they finally reached the cabin where Gray lay. With practised efficiency, they began their assessment, checking his vital signs and observing his condition closely.

Despite the eerie surroundings and the uncertainty of their situation, the medical team remained calm and composed, their training and expertise guiding their actions as they worked to stabilise Gray and prepare him for evacuation.

As the medical staff approached his bedside, they spoke in soothing tones, their voices calm and reassuring.

"Hey there, Gray, my name's Dr. Hernandez," one of the medical personnel said gently, kneeling beside him. "We're here to help you. Can you hear me?"

Gray's eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused as he struggled to concentrate on the faces hovering above him. "Yeah," he croaked weakly.

"We're going to take good care of you, Gray," another member of the medical team chimed in. "We're going to get you out of here and back to safety."

Gray nodded faintly; his breathing laboured as he fought to stay conscious while fighting the virus that was ravaging his body. The medical staff worked quickly, their movements precise as they assessed his condition and administered medication to temporarily relieve his pain.

"You're going to be okay, Gray," Dr. Hernandez said, her voice steady as she monitored his vital signs. "Just hang in there."

With Dr. Hernandez attending to Gray's immediate medical needs, the other two medical staff members quickly assessed the rest of the crew on the deck. Despite their ordeal, the crew appeared to be in relatively stable condition, aside from the expected symptoms of dehydration and malnutrition.

As the medical staff conferred with each other, they formulated a plan for the crew's evacuation. Working closely with the rescue teams from RNLI Plymouth, RNLI Penzance, and the U.S. Coast Guard, they devised a strategy to safely transfer the crew from the abandoned ship to the rescue boats.

The evacuation plan involved utilising the ladders on the other side of the ship, as suggested by Blackwood earlier. The rescue teams would position their boats alongside the ship, allowing the crew to descend the ladders and board the vessels individually.

To ensure the crew's safety during the transfer, the medical staff would accompany them, providing support and assistance as needed. They would prioritise the most vulnerable crew members, such as Gray, ensuring they were safely transported to the rescue boats first.

As the evacuation plan was set into motion, the rescue teams worked swiftly and efficiently to accomplish their mission. With the combined efforts of everyone involved, they were determined to bring the stranded crew of St. Argyle's to safety and ensure that they received the medical attention and care they desperately needed.

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