A Whale of a Time by Bindi Irwin

Author:Bindi Irwin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2011-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

After passing that information on to the coastguard, Steve’s Whale One left behind Tommy’s Target and powered on south, traveling as fast as it was safe to go. The winds were getting stronger, and Bindi knew this type of weather was one of the worst possible scenarios for an oil spill. The gusts could carry the oil a lot farther, creating more far-reaching damage than it would do in calmer seas.

Bindi was looking through some binoculars when she spotted something dark and shiny on the ocean’s surface. “Captain Washington, take a look over there,” she said, pointing starboard. “There’s more oil!”

Captain Washington grimaced. “Well, we’re on the right track at least.”

The choppy waves made the going tough, but they continued on. Soon, Caitlin pointed to a large vessel in the distance. “Could that be the culprit?” she asked.

Mad Jake squinted. “Could be.”

They forged on, and the huge shipping container became more visible.

Looking through the binoculars, Bindi confirmed their suspicions. “Yes, it’s definitely the Santiago Sun,” she said. “I can see the lettering on the side of its hull. It’s enormous!”

The container ship measured approximately 650 feet in length, and its cargo was visible on the deck, where hundreds of containers were stacked. Although the waves were choppy, the huge vessel glided smoothly over the water as it steamed dead ahead. As they got closer to the ship, Captain Washington tried his radio.

“Steve’s Whale One to Santiago Sun, do you read?”

There was a crackle from the radio but then silence.

He tried again. “Steve’s Whale One to Santiago Sun, do you read?”

Still nothing.

“We have to get them to stop, Captain Washington!” urged Bindi. Compared to the Santiago Sun, the catamaran looked like a tiny ant next to an elephant.

Captain Washington took a deep breath. “Righto. We’re going to have to travel as close to the ship as we can and kick up a storm next to it. That’ll get its attention.”

Mad Jake whistled. “Kids, this is dangerous. Grab life jackets, and don’t move away from the bridge. It’s the safest part of the ship.”

Caitlin was concerned. This had gone from being a lighthearted adventure to a seriously dangerous trip trying to stop an environmental disaster. Wait until she told her friends back home!

After putting on life jackets, they all watched the needles on the boat’s instrument panel ping to the right as Captain Washington increased speed. “Now hold on tight.”

The captain spun the wheel from left to right, sending up wide arcs of water on both sides. He sped the catamaran toward the Santiago Sun, then turned the wheel sharply and accelerated the boat away from the vessel at speed.

Bindi had the binoculars glued to her eyes, hoping to catch sight of someone on the deck. Finally, she caught sight of a crewman who had appeared on deck, gesturing at the boat angrily. “We’ve got their attention!”

Captain Washington tried the radio once more. “Santiago Sun, do you read, over?”

There was a distinct crackle from the radio this time. The group all looked at each other expectantly.

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