River Mouth Hazard

Several of the Star Tugs remained at the Star pier. "Good morning!" said Top Hat. The three harbour tugs were also waiting and none of them answered Top Hat. "So, Hercules, Ten Cents and Sunshine had already started work," Top Hat said in his usual selfish tone, "Why not me?"

"Because you care more about keeping yourself clean then helping!" Big Mac answered. "Well, he has a point," OJ added in, "Anyway, Captain Star was about to give us orders but he'd been called away." "Yes," Warrior agreed.

Top Hat was about to reply when the conversation had been interrupted by an urgent-sounding voice. "There's a problem," Captain Star said, "There's a loose boulder near the river mouth and it needs to be dealt with." "Uh, that's a problem," Top Hat said.

"You're right as usual, Top Hat," Captain Star said, "I'm going to send my tugs to remove it before it causes any damage." "Ok," Big Mac said, "We're ready to deal with it." Captain Star thought about it for a moment.

"Big Mac and Warrior," Captain Star said at last, "You two are to go and deal with this blockage." "You can count on us," said Big Mac, "And consider yourself lucky, Top Hat." "Yes, I will!" Top Hat said. "Hopefully," said Warrior.

"Top Hat, you're towing Lord Stinker around." "I spoke too soon," Top Hat said. Captain Star then sent OJ to help the switchers with their jobs.

"Ah, well," OJ said to himself, "Might tow some light loads myself. Now come on, you stupid old engine." Once OJ got his engine working, he set off for his own job.

Big Mac and Warrior prepared to leave. "I'll go get Little Ditcher," Warrior said.

Immediately, Big Mac and Warrior had arrived at the scene of the problem. Standing on the banks of the river mouth was a tall, loose boulder that could fall down at any minute. The Coast Guard was already there. "What, this?!" Little Ditcher said.

"Wow," Warrior said. "All right," Big Mac said, "We've got to do something about this boulder. We can't let it fall onto someone and cause trouble." "How about some help?" Warrior suggested. Big Mac saw that Billy Shoepack was close by.

"We don't need that kind of help!" Big Mac retorted, "We don't want any more disasters!" "Oh, right," Warrior said as Billy Shoepack continued on his way. Just then, Puffa arrived. "Hello," he called to the two tugs, "Looks like you got trouble."

"Yes," Big Mac answered, "And we're trying to figure out what to do with this boulder." "Yes," said Warrior, running into the shore.

"Warrior, wait!" Big Mac called out, but it was too late. Warrior hit the boulder and it had fallen down right into the water, blocking the river mouth. "Oops," Warrior said meekly.

"Oh, great," Big Mac said, "Now we got an even bigger problem to deal with!" "I'm sorry," Warrior said, ashamed of his mistake. "Now what do we do?" Big Mac asked. "I'll try to think of something for you," Puffa said. Soon enough, Grampus had arrived.

"I could take a look," said Grampus. "Go right ahead," Big Mac said as Grampus dove down to examine the boulder from underwater. He then submerged. "All right," Grampus said, "The boulder has blocked part of the river mouth. It isn't serious, but it has to be removed."

"All right," Big Mac said, "This isn't the same as that useless tramp steamer that had blocked the river up further, but we can't let it stay." "Yes," Warrior agreed. "Little Ditcher," said Big Mac, "Could you try to remove it?" "I'll try," said Little Ditcher and Big Mac moved the A-frame crane into position.

Just then, Zip and Zug were arriving. "Hey, you idiots!" Big Mac shouted at the two, "Stop!" But Zip and Zug didn't listen. "Wait!" Warrior shouted, "No, you two! Don't make the problem any worse!" "Not again, Warrior!" Big Mac called. "What?" Warrior called back.

As so, Zip, Zug and Warrior all rammed the boulder at the same time. "Oh no!" Big Mac yelled, "The problem has gotten worse." "Sorry," said Warrior. "Uh, what happened?" Zip asked. "Wait," said Grampus, "Look!" The large boulder began to break apart.

"Uh, what is this?" Zug asked, watching cracks spread all over the boulder. "Get away from there!" Big Mac and the Coat Guard shouted. "Back off now!" Grampus said before diving. Warrior backed away, taking Zip and Zug with him.

Just then, Zak had arrived. "Uh oh," said Zug. "Why did you two idiots ran off like that?!" Zak asked when suddenly, the boulder had exploded into fragments. Some hit Zak and had knocked him into the riverbank.

"Argh!" he growled as he slammed into the mud. "Whoa," Warrior said. "How?!" Zak asked. "Looks like the job is done," Big Mac said. "Uh, what happened?" Zip asked clueless.

"Looks like I can do the work," Little Ditcher said. "Yes," Puffa agreed, "Consider yourselves lucky." "Right," Warrior agreed.

This time, Little Ditcher helped clear away the smaller rocks.

And Puffa had helped to carry them away in open wagons.

Finally, the job had been completed. "Well, thanks to you two," Big Mac said to Zip and Zug. "What?" Zip asked. "As well as Warrior," Big Mad added in, "You've actually helped solve the problem."

"Well, I do have to admit, you all did a great job of dealing with that boulder," Top Hat said who had arrived. "That is true," Lord Stinker agreed. "Aw, shucks," Warrior blushed. "Well done," the Coast Guard said.

Both Big Mac and Warrior were happy. "I'm proud for you two," Puffa said. "Thanks," Big Mac replied. "Uh, why don't we get thanks like that?" Zip asked.

However, Zak remained stuck on the bank. "Can I help you out of there?" Billy Shoepack asked. Showing off his dynamites. "Ugh!" Zak groaned.