The Ghost Cruise

20 • Johnson and March

Johnson's hospital experience was hindered by the shadow of his darkest moment aboard the ghost ship. Though his physical recovery progressed smoothly, his mind remained trapped by the memory of his desperate attempt to end his life on the ship's edge.

As he lay in his hospital bed, surrounded by the sterile walls of the medical facility, Eli grappled with the torment of his thoughts. Flashbacks of the harrowing moment on the ship's deck haunted him, thinking that if he'd jumped then, he never would've been saved.

Despite the relative ease of his recovery, his mental distress lingered as PTSD. Each day brought with it a hint of progress, but the road to healing remained fraught with the weight of his emotional scars.

Following his eventual discharge from the hospital, Eli was placed in an intensive therapy program aimed at addressing the deep-rooted trauma that had plagued him since the rescue. Guided by a compassionate therapist who sought to unravel the tangled mess of his emotions, together they delved into the depths of his mind, confronting the demons that had stayed with him since his time on the ghost ship.

Through hours of therapy sessions, Johnson navigated through his turmoil, gradually unravelling the knots of pain and anguish that had bound him.

As the weeks turned into months, Johnson's journey through therapy became a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. With each milestone reached and each breakthrough achieved, he emerged from his suffering, stronger and more resilient than before.

Three years after the rescue that had saved his life, Eli Johnson returned to work at St. Argyle's stronger and more determined than ever. His rescue had shown him the importance of his job, making him eternally grateful and proud of the men and women who had risked their own lives to save him and his crewmates.

He made it his lifelong mission to safeguard lives at sea, and he eventually became the leader of the St. Argyle's team before he eventually died of old age.

But not before he taught his son the tricks of the trade. His son, Daniel Johnson, followed in his father's footsteps and became just as successful, determined, and talented as his father, safeguarding the next generation of lives at sea.

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As March was wheeled into A&E, his condition was dire after enduring the harrowing ordeal at sea. His body was visibly weakened, his skin pale and clammy, and his breathing shallow and laboured. The medical team sprang into action, assessing his vital signs and quickly determining the extent of his dehydration and malnutrition.

His face was drawn, his eyes sunken with exhaustion, and his lips were severely cracked and blistered from dehydration.

Doctors immediately surrounded him, their voices a clamour of urgency as they assessed his condition.

His heart rate was elevated, his blood pressure worryingly low, and his temperature was dangerously hypothermic. The nurses quickly started an IV line to replenish his fluids while others hooked him up to monitors to keep track of his vitals. The attending physician, recognising the severity of March's condition, ordered a battery of tests.

The sounds of crashing waves and howling winds reverberated in March's ears, a constant reminder of the nightmare he had endured. He was plagued by the memories of his crewmates and seemed to be in a prolonged state of shock that ended up lasting months.

Once he was discharged, Eric became homeless, unable to pay his bills. He sat in his apartment shaking as he relived the ordeal at sea hour after hour. His home was repossessed, and he was kicked onto the streets.

March's tragic journey came to a heart-wrenching conclusion just three months after his release from the hospital. The weight of his suffering, compounded by the relentless torment of his PTSD and depression and his homelessness, became too heavy a burden for him to bear. In the unbearable solitude of his thoughts, he made the determined decision to end his life.

The next day, he stole a gun from a guy and immediately took himself out.

Though his journey had ended in tragedy, March's memory lived on in the hearts of those who had walked alongside him, forever touched by the indelible imprint that he had left on their lives.

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Upon hearing the devastating news of March's passing, Blackwood was overcome by an intense sense of grief and remorse. Despite the tumultuous nature of their shared ordeal, she had come to see March not only as a fellow survivor but also as a kindred spirit, united in their struggle against the relentless forces of fate.

The weight of March's untimely death bore heavily upon her mind, a poignant reminder of the fragility and precariousness of life. In the silence of her thoughts, she grappled with a torrent of emotions, from sorrow and disbelief to guilt and regret.

Haunted by the spectre of what might have been, Grace grappled with a profound loss, mourning the passing of a comrade whose presence had once brought solace amidst the chaos of their shared mission.

It took years before she was finally strong enough, mentally, emotionally, and physically, to be able to forgive herself after March's death.

She fought hard to recover from the trauma she had endured, and almost six years later, she finally found the strength and courage to return to work.

Outside the St. Argyle's base, a plaque was laid with Eric March's name emblazoned on it for all to see, honouring his memory and highlighting his brave work and the sacrifices he made during his time working for the search and rescue team.

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Eric March
12.04.83 - 16.05.24
Aged 41
Beloved son, brother, uncle, stepfather and colleague.

"In loving memory of Eric March, a brave soul who dedicated his life to the pursuit of saving lives at sea. His selfless actions and dedication will forever echo in the history of search and rescue, a testament to his brave spirit and the sacrifices he made in service to others. Rest in peace, dear friend."

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