Chapter 9
Millie said the first thing that popped into her head. “Siren of the Seas has located another vessel in distress?”
“It appears to be very similar to the one that sent a mayday signal when we were on our way to Bimini.”
“At least it’s daylight and safer for the rescue crew to venture out.”
“Correct. Captain Armati and the bridge officers have the vessel in their sights.” Suharto took off, explaining he was on his way to the launch location.
Millie trailed behind at a slower pace. By the time she arrived, Sharky and the safety crew were already lowering the boat. She whispered a prayer for the rescue team’s safety. As soon as the Zodiac hit the water, it sped off.
Heavy footsteps echoed. Dave Patterson rounded the corner. He strode over to Sharky and Suharto and began motioning with his hands, a troubled look on his face.
Millie felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Cat and Annette standing behind her.
“I heard we got a call about another disabled vessel,” Annette said.
“Looks like this one is legit.” Millie filled them in on what little she knew. “The rescue team already took off in the Zodiac.”
The trio hung back, waiting and watching as Patterson, along with the safety team, monitored the situation.
A flit of movement out in the water caught Millie’s eye. It was the Zodiac, moving at a quick clip toward the ship. The launch crew huddled near the entrance, blocking Millie’s sightline.
Patterson, finally noticing the trio standing nearby, strolled over. “Hello, ladies.”
“How’s it going?” Cat asked.
“A disabled yacht sent a distress signal. Captain Armati and the bridge officers were able to locate them and dispatched a rescue team.”
“And?” Millie prompted.
“They’re returning with rescued passengers.”
“What about the yacht?”
“It’s taking on water.” Patterson excused himself to return to the entrance.
Annette watched him walk away. “A yacht, huh?”
“At least Siren of the Seas was close by and the passengers didn’t go down with the boat,” Cat said.
“The thought of being on board a sinking yacht is terrifying.” Millie shivered involuntarily. “I wonder how many people are being rescued.”
“Whoever it is, is in for a free vacay.” Annette shifted her feet. “In all the years I’ve worked on this ship, I can’t remember ever rescuing passengers from a disabled vessel.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” Cat quipped. “Those are some pretty big waves. Maybe they took on water because of the rough seas.”
“I would have to say this is their lucky day,” Annette said. “Having Siren of the Seas in the vicinity of where the yacht became disabled.”
“This is a busy traffic route,” Millie pointed out. “If you look off in the distance you can see another cruise ship.”
It was true. Their current path, cruising toward the Turks and Caicos, a popular destination, guaranteed several other cruise ships would be heading north and south on the way to other bustling ports including San Juan, Puerto Plata, St. Croix, St. Kitts and points farther south.
“Is the ship at capacity?”
Millie’s brows drew together. “I think this voyage was sold out, but it doesn’t mean all passengers made it on board.”
“I know for a fact there are a few empty crew cabins,” Cat said. “Andy mentioned this morning that several new crew members would be boarding in Miami.”
Loud voices interrupted their conversation and the women grew quiet.
Patterson, flanked by Suharto on one side and Sharky on the other, stood facing the emergency exit. Slowly…slowly, the rescue boat lifted until it was level with the deck.
A Siren of the Seas crew member appeared, followed by a woman wearing shorts and a T-shirt. A male, a second female, and one more man, all twentysomething, plus three additional people who, based on their attire, appeared to be crew members on board the yacht, climbed out of the inflatable boat.
Cat nudged her arm. “They look like they’re in shock.”
“I know I would be.”
The ship’s rescue team quickly whisked the boat’s occupants down the hall and out of sight.
“Show’s over,” Patterson announced. “Time to get back to work, folks.”
The crowd faded, leaving only Millie, Annette, Cat, along with Sharky and Suharto, who helped finish securing the Zodiac.
Millie inched closer, catching a glimpse of the sinking vessel, now listing at a precarious angle.
Cat eased in next to her. “It looks like an expensive yacht.”
“No kidding,” Annette said. “I could be way off, but those passengers look too young to own a yacht of that caliber.”
“It looks vaguely familiar,” Millie murmured. “Like I’ve seen it before.”
Sharky tightened the straps on the Zodiac and gave it a firm pat. “They weren’t particularly appreciative of the rescue.”
“What do you mean?”
“We could hear them on the radio,” Suharto said. “They were yelling at the rescue team, demanding they hook onto the yacht and tow it.”
“Seriously?” Annette frowned. “You can’t tow a yacht with a Zodiac. It doesn’t have the horsepower.”
“Precisely. Honestly, if I was part of the rescue team, I would’ve been tempted to leave their butts on the sinking boat,” Sharky said.
Siren of the Seas passed within a few hundred feet of the vessel, tipped on its side and still taking on water.
Millie’s heart skipped a beat as she read the ship’s name…or what was still above water aloud. “Sea-nan.”
“Sea-nan,” Cat repeated.
“If the yacht is the Sea-nanigans, my cousins and I had a run-in with this group at the Yacht Club in Bimini.”