A Bride for Jack

Deep Sea Fishing Part 6

Chapter 13

Deep Sea Fishing

The boat was launched in record time. As they sped off into the sea, Jakes apprehension disappeared as he looked at the sunlit sea, calm and peaceful. When they reached the reef, swarms of fish were everywhere. It was a perfect day the sea was flooded with the colors of coral. By late afternoon however, sharks appeared, attracted by the smell of fish and blood. It was time to head for home. They were all satisfied with the days haul. Sun burnt from a day in the sun and sea but happy. They were going to collect their wives and girlfriends and join Jake and Alison at the farm for a fish braai. The Reef was just out of sight when Jake noticed that the forward hatch was open. Don was sitting the closest. "Hi Don, close that hatch."

But it was too late. As Don looked up, a huge wave crashed over the bow. The boat that was already dangerously low in the sea with four men and a load of fish. With the open hatch the boat suddenly took in a ton of water. The next wave turned the boat onto its side and flung the men into the sea. They clung desperately to the rolling hull. Jake who had been flung clear of the boat, struggled to swim to it. Eventually he reached it exhausted. They were in a dangerous situation. The coast line of Umkomaas was still very far on the horizon.

"Let's all swim for it. If we go with the current we will reach the coast somewhere, shouted Joe."

"No!" shouted Don, "We must stay together, it's our only chance."

An argument exploded as they all desperately sought a solution to the nightmare situation. Don who was a swimming instructor knew that panic could kill. He had to keep the men calm. The only one keeping his head was his close friend Jake. The men were in shock and were not thinking logically. They kept on shouting that they must swim to the mainland. But Don knew with only one life jacket they would never make it.

"Don is right," Jake shouted. "We have to stay together, it is our only chance."

"Let us hang onto the boat, at least it is keeping us together and we have some protection against the sea, we can maneuver it towards the coast."

Jake suggested that they clean out the hold and remove all trace of fish and blood. They all agreed and the activity of cleaning the hold gradually calmed them. Next they tried to get the boat upright. They all tried pushing the boat upright, but it was in vain. Eventually Jake suggested that the two brothers stand on the boats keel while Don, Glen and himself pushed from beneath. Finally it was upright and they quickly jammed empty petrol containers and cooler bags into the cock pit for buoyancy. Don and Glen decided that they would have a better chance to reach the coast line if they got rid of the heavy outboard motor. They quickly got rid of it. The boat was immediately easier to handle. Even submerged the boat gave some protection. But the reality of hungry sharks was a constant source of worry.

Don and Jack guided the boat on each side, while the other three men pushed from the back. After an hour had passed the coast seemed much nearer. Don kept on encouraging the men, promising them that they would get home soon. Everybody worked hard at keeping the boat moving towards the coast. The coast seemed closer, but they were not getting closer. Jake's thoughts drifted home to Alison and the kids, and the peacefulness of their farm in the Drakensburg. "I'm going to get out of here," he vowed.

Soon darkness descended on them. Glen suggested that they all get into the boat. But Don and Jake realized that they might drift further from the coast and insisted that they keep on. They decided that each one would have a turn to get in the boat and rest while the others pushed the boat in the right direction, they saw the lights of houses offshore, and they seemed only a few hundred meters from the shore but the tide and currents pushed them in and out. Glen and Joe had developed saltwater sores on elbows and knees. Jake and Don's skin felt tender and hoped they would not develop sores. They all prayed together and asked God to save them. When the sun eventually rose they had renewed hope. Surely somebody would come looking for them and help them get to shore. Jake worried about Alison and the kids alone on the farm. She would be so worried. Why, oh why did he not act on the premonition when he first saw the boat.