The castaways spent most of the afternoon digging the engines out of the sand. The Skipper remembered the pride he had when he bought the Wheeler 40 foot boat shortly after he retired from the Navy. It was tiny compared to the destroyer he commanded, but the destroyer belonged to the US Government. The Minnow was his, there wasn't even a bank lien on it. Skipper figured, though, that the insurance agent that sold him full coverage less than six months before the shipwreck was probably also mourning the loss of the S.S. Minnow.

Skipper focused on his task, "Both screws are fowled," Skipper told the professor, pointing to the mangled propellers.

The Professor replied, "It will take some time to get the boat in seaworthy condition, but time is something we have an abundance of."

While the Skipper, Professor, and Gilligan were pulling engine parts out of the sand, Mary Ann and Ginger were setting up a work area a short distance from the beach, so as the men would not have to carry the parts all the way to camp.

"Gilligan," The Skipper ordered, "go find out what the Howells are doing."

"Why me?" asked Gilligan.

The Skipper replied, "Because you're the XO and they are part of their crew."

Gilligan responded with a hearty, "Aye, aye."

When Gilligan got back to camp, the Howells were sitting in front of their tent.

Gilligan told them, "Mr. and Mrs. Howell, everybody's working fairly hard out there."

Mr. Howell replied, "My dear boy it is tea time."

Mrs. Howell added, "We may be far from civilization, but we are not far from civilized. Howells never miss tea."

"Well, judging by some of the comments I heard over there, you may be having tea by yourselves on the island while we are getting rescued on the raft," Gilligan explained.

"Touche, point taken," allowed Mr. Howell.

Gilligan bargained, "Help me bring some tools out to the work area, and I won't tell what I saw."

Resigned, Howell said, "Very well."

The Howells, Ginger, and Mary Ann set up an "engine shop" while Skipper, Professor, and Gilligan continued to bring the jigsaw puzzle of two Detroit Diesel 230's to the covered bamboo floor of a work area.

"Even if we do fix the engines, what will they run on?" The Skipper asked the Professor, "its not like we have a diesel pump on the island."

The Professor explained, "I'll set up a still over here, and convert the engines to run on alcohol."

"What a waste of booze," said Mr. Howell.

The castaways had most everything set up by dark. The seven returned to camp for dinner, and to rest.

At dinner, the professor said, "Tonight I'll start on the RHC1, so we can work on the engines tomorrow."

Skipper added, "I'll get to work on a design for the ship, and Gilligan, I have a task for you. As XO, you need to come up with a watch list for when we get under way."

"Aye, Aye, Skipper," Gilligan obeyed.

Skipper started on his naval architecture, while the Professor worked on his chemistry. Gilligan went off by the fire to work on staffing.

"Oh Gilligan," Ginger slinked up to the new XO, "You wouldn't make me work in the lonely dark would you?"

"Ginger, I have to put people where I think they would best fit," Gilligan replied.

"Just use your best judgment," Ginger said, while using her most sultry walk to leave.

Mr. Howell came up next, "Gilligan, my boy, you do know Howell industries has several ships? We are always looking for young officers who know how to get the best out of their crew. You might want to keep that in mind when scheduling Mrs. Howell and myself."

"Mr. Howell, that is an intriguing offer, but I'm thinking of going back into the Navy, or maybe the Coast Guard when I get back." Gilligan replied.

"Public service. Really?" Mr. Howell said while walking away thinking the boy definitely doesn't belong at Howell Industries.

Later, Mary Ann came up. Oh, no, not her too. Gilligan thought.

"Saved you a piece of coconut cream pie," Mary Anne offered.

"Thanks, Mary Ann," Gilligan replied.

Mary Ann said, "Don't stay up too late, just assign the duties using your best judgment."

Gilligan answered, "I won't."

After Mary Anne left, out of Gilligan's earshot, Ginger told her, "You are good, I'll give you that."

Mary Ann retorted, "Why Ginger, whatever are you talking about?"

Gilligan presented Skipper with the watch list just as the Captain was finishing up the plans for the boat. Skipper carefully looked over Gilligan's work.

"Looks good," Skipper said while signing it.

"Really?" asked Gilligan.

The Skipper chuckled, "Gilligan, I couldn't have done any better myself."

When the castaways woke the next morning, they saw this posted:

Rescue Boat Watch List

Day Watch (Sunrise- Sunset)

Skipper-Helm

Professor-Engine

Mary Ann-Lookout

Night Watch (Sunset-Sunrise)

Gilligan-Helm

Mr. and Mrs. Howell- Engine

Ginger- Lookout

By Order of:

/s/

W. Gilligan, SN, USNR

Executive Officer

Approved by:

/s/

J. Grumby, CAPT, USN (Ret.)

Commanding Officer