Collision of Destinies by Steven L. Benson

Author:Steven L. Benson [Benson, Steven L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781462030934
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2011-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

chapter 29

The Significance of Five Short Blasts

THREE DAYS AFTER LEAVING Panama we encountered the Doldrums, the flattest sea thus far without exception. Blue skies and hypnotically gentle rollers yielded perfect working conditions. Basked in the equatorial sun, the southern latitudes made our workdays feel more like vacation than duty. Bottle-nosed dolphin and flying fish were observed regularly, often accompanied by the high-pitched squelches of passing gulls free meal hunting on the fish churned up by our propeller.

It was mid-afternoon. Captain Escabar had taken issue with a storage problem in his cabina, and summoned me. Reporting to the bridge, I overheard an argument waging between him and his counterpart, Captain Edward Scott. Captain Escabar was at the con, and Captain Scott, off-duty at the time, was standing by his side. A tanker ship four times our tonnage had been sighted on radar some twenty miles north of our position, and was traveling on an intersecting vector, steaming at twice our speed. Apparently, the larger ship had already made contact with us by radio. The argument appeared to be about right of way.

“Captain, at our present course and speed we are on a collision course. I suggest we alter the heading and give way, Sir,” Captain Scott suggested as a matter of routine.

The Latin male was a proud man. As the acting helmsman, the Ecuadorian was not required to take orders from anyone especially from a “Brit” he did not know or trust. In just a few short days, Captain Scott did not have the time to demonstrate any superior abilities, and Captain Escabar clearly resented the back-seat driver. Two long minutes elapsed.

“As the acting Captain of this vessel, I am certain we have established right of way!” Alonzo announced defiantly. “The other vessel recognizes this fact and will surely give way,” he added, unconcerned by the threat.

Five more uncomfortably long minutes passed by while the Ecuadorian stood his ground. Even I understood our dilemma. The consequences of being wrong could be catastrophic.

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