The Storm - Version II

by PirateCaptainJS

The crew of Hammersley, now with a new coxswain is out again on patrol. After two weeks out at sea, the routine patrol turns into a real adventure. A big storm hits the northern part of Queensland and the Hammersley helps out in the aftermath. While the crew is out helping trapped boaters, CO Mike Flynn coordinates a combined search from the Navy and the local FD. It ends badly.

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Mike stays behind, radio in hand. Vectoring the two Navy choppers into the right positions, he doesn't pay much attention to his surroundings. He hasn't even seen the warning sign that says to be aware of crocs. The first chopper has now reached the right position and is taking one family member after another onboard with a winch and a rescue harness. The RHIB with the three firemen is on it's way back to the main road of the housing area and to Mike.

Mike is still talking over the radio to the crew of the chopper, which is making it's way back to base, while two more are approaching. Because of the loud sound of their engines, Mike doesn't hear the rippling of the water right behind him. A crocodile is nearing his position and moments later it happens. Without any warning the reptile sinks it's big, sharp teeth into the flesh of Mike's lower right thigh. Screaming in pain, Mike falls into the water as his legs give way. He manages to suck in a deep breath before he is being pulled under by the croc.

As the water is murky, he isn't able to see his attacker. And even if he would, it wouldn't do him much good. Mike curses himself for not taking a gun with him or at least a knife. He could have used the latter now to get ouf of this predicament. But at the moment there is no way out. The croc is throwing his body from side to side, trying to either drown him, or to rip him apart. Both not nice alternatives. By now his eyes have adjusted to the dark water and he is able to make out a few things.

The first thing he sees is that this crocodile is a big one, at least three meters long. The next thing he can make out is a cloud of blood, his blood, erupting into the water around him. It's the last thing he'll may ever see. At least that's what he is thinking as his sight starts to dim more and more.

Luckily for him, his new mates from the rural fire department are near with the RHIB and they have a shotgun with them. They have seen the crocodile go for him, but their shouts weren't heard over all the noise.

Now they reach the place where Mike once stood proud. They can see the blood in the water, lots of it. Not waiting, Greg takes the shotgun and fires a shot into the water. Not to kill right away, but to startle the reptile enough to let go of it's victim. They wait a minute to see what happens. And really the reptile comes up, showing it's ugly head. This time Greg aims and shoots to kill the beast. He succeeds. Throwing the shotgun aside he jumps into the water followed by Andy. John just unfolds the stretcher and keeps the boat in place.

Right in the moment that Andy is in the water too, Mike surfaces. He coughs up water and takes in gulps of air, trying to stay conscious. Greg and Andy reach him and help him to the boat. All the while talking to him, doing their best to keep him awake. But as soon as they have him aboard their RHIB and on the stretcher, Mike loses the fight with unconsciousness. Seeing the ugly wound, the two men take out bandages and try to stop the blood flow. But it just won't stop. Greg takes a closer look and knows now why they have so much trouble in stopping the bleeding.

He turns to his two mates "It's arterial gushing. We have to keep as much pressure as we can. We have to use a tourniquet. Otherwise he'll bleed out in minutes. And we have to call it in. We are not equipped for such a casualty." John nods and goes full speed with the RHIB, back out to the sea, in hopes to catch up with the Hammersley. Andy takes the radio which is surprisingly still in Mike's hand and tries it out, to see if it still works after the dunk in the ocean water. To the surprise of the three men it still functions.

After hearing static, Andy has the Hammersley on the other side of the line. It's RO who answers "Hammersley. Leading Seaman Dixon speaking." Thankful for getting through, Andy introduces himself shortly and tells RO what happened. RO bids him to stay on. He puts one hand over the radio and calls the X "Ma'am. I have someone from the Queensland Rural Fire Department on the line. He said that something happened to Mike Flynn." Kate takes the radio from RO and demands to know what is going on.

Hesitatingly Andy retells the story of what just happened and that they are on their way to meet with them. At hearing what befell her beloved Mike, Kate gasps. Getting herself together, she asks "What is your position Andy?" Looking at the GPS in the boat, he reads the numbers. Nav calculates hurriedly and lets Kate know that they are only half an hour away, less if they take a RHIB. Decision made, Kate tells them to stay on their current course and that she sends out a RHIB to meet them.

Taking the speaker, Nav announces "Hands to boarding stations! Hands to boarding stations! Hands to boarding stations!"

Kate sends Dutchy, Charge, 2Dads and Spider out to meet with them. She briefs Dutchy to let him know that this is a rescue mission. Dutchy nods and hurries down to the boarding room. Moments later all four men are in full gear and taking their places in the starboard RHIB. Then it's being lowered into the sea. Kate gives the order "Away seaboat!" The RHIB speeds away. Turning to Nav, she tells her to give the order to lower the anchor.