Sea Patrol (2007) s01e07 Episode Script
Rescue Me
WOMAN: EPIRB distress signal, bearing 275, range 28 nautical miles.
Depth of EPIRB position is 22m.
Clear water all around.
Wind light and variable, Sea State One.
About as perfect out there as it gets.
Who'd need rescuing on a day like today? It's obviously not an illegal fisherman, given the distress signal.
Just in from the RCC.
The EPIRB's registered to a Mr C.
Watts and his sloop, 'Clair de Lune' Says there he's attempting to solo-navigate Australia.
I should have guessed.
It's a yachtie.
Yachtie or not, he obviously needs a bit of help, ET.
'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship calling you on VHF channel 16 - over.
Range to datum, eight miles.
MAN ON RADIO: I'm picking up a signal on 121 megahertz bearing 280.
Sailing vessel 'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship calling you on VHF Channel 16 - over.
Anything, Buff? Nothing, sir.
Horizon's clear.
No sign of Wait.
I have a visual at red five far.
Still no response on the VHF, boss.
That's because he's not in his boat.
Hands to FAIDEX stations.
Hands to FAIDEX stations.
Hands to FAIDEX stations.
Officer of the watch, come left 270.
Aye, sir.
Come left 270.
ET: Amateur sailors.
Scourge of the sea, Chefo.
Most of these guys couldn't navigate their way around a bathtub.
(Laughs) Steady on, ET.
I reckon it takes guts to sail around on your tod.
Now, don't confuse bravery with stupidity.
Most of these jokers are too rich or too old to know any better.
I'd like to hear you say that to this guy's face, ET.
I intend to, Buff, don't you worry.
Ahoy there, Mr Watts! This is the Australian Navy! The old fart's probably fast asleep.
Hoy, Mr Watts! The cavalry's arrived! Mr Watts! Wakey, wakey! Hands off Am I glad to see you guys! Right! Lift her up! Get her up there! Good stuff.
Stow her away.
Let me get that life jacket for you, ma'am.
You must've been out there a while.
Sorry, ma'am.
No, no, I'm not I'm not really that cold.
Thank you.
Charge! Does everyone need to be mustered? Isn't there a temperature anomaly with one of your diesels that your sailors are yet to sort out? Blokes just wanna have a bit of a gander.
It was really bizarre - you kind of look like a cousin of mine.
They were in a speedboat, four of them - all in balaclavas.
I took off in the life raft.
I hoped they'd let me go if I abandoned the boat.
Why didn't you mayday? Barely had time to get the EPIRB.
The pirates were about to board me.
(Laughs) Pirates? There's no pirates in these waters.
Guys in masks, armed with automatic weapons, brandishing machetes.
I would call them pirates.
Mmm.
Yeah, absolutely.
Sir, it could've been the same guys that killed Sam Murray.
They ransacked his boat.
Yeah, Buff said it was a work of piracy, X.
CO: OK.
Miss Watts, I reckon today's been your lucky day.
Though I don't like your chances of recovering your boat.
Yeah, but the navy's gonna do everything it can, so Sorry.
What happened to your forearm there, ma'am? Oh, I did that getting off the yacht.
(Hisses) Ow! Sir, request permission that all non-essential personnel leave the wardroom immediately.
Miss Watts is in need of medical attention.
I'll assist Swain, sir, as second medic.
I'm the second medic.
Do you need the bag? That'd be great.
Thanks, mate.
Yeah.
(Laughs) The young woman reported four heavily armed hostiles.
MAN: Did she give a description of their speedboat? She was too distressed to remember details, sir.
Coastwatch responded to a hijack two days ago in the Arafura Sea that also involved four assailants in a speedboat.
Miss Watts used the term 'pirates' though my guess is You doubt her story? Why would you get out of a manoeuvrable yacht into a rudderless life raft to escape from pirates? Sounds like the poor thing was in fear of her life.
Sir, I've got a stationary contact approximately 12 miles to the south-east.
Set course for it, Nav.
Yes, sir.
Let's hope we can give Miss Watts some good news after all.
It's different for a girl.
A guy wants to do it alone, it's no big deal.
A girl wants to sail solo and she's out of her depth.
Well, some might say that recent events have just proved that.
I can take care of myself! I'm an excellent sailor.
Yeah, ease off, Swain.
I reckon you'd be a great sailor.
Hmm.
So, why are you sailing around Oz? Just for the hell of it or? Raising money for charity.
Oh, great.
Yeah! You guys should check out my website - clairsjourney.
com.
I do a webcam diary every day.
You guys are gonna get a mention for sure.
Ah.
(Laughs) If I've got a boat to go back to.
No, you'll have a boat.
We'll find it.
Find it myself if I have to.
Hello.
Hey.
You must be Clair.
Yeah.
Got some good news.
Coming up on your yacht now.
Is she damaged? Doesn't appear so from a distance, but as soon as Swain is done Ah, yes, ma'am.
We'll get you back on the RHIB, assess her stem to stern, make sure she's safe.
Right, well, I'll, um, escort her back.
I'll escort you back.
Nice yacht.
Very nice, ma'am.
She's got beautiful lines.
Yeah.
All clear, X.
Pretty neat pirates.
Or maybe just a messy sailor.
Mind your step.
Have a look around and see if anything's missing.
Pirates tend to grab anything and everything they can get their mitts on.
And what they don't steal, they sabotage.
It looks like everything's here.
Have a really good look.
ET.
Electronics - do you wanna check them? Hey, Buffer.
Oh, it's my dad's gun.
Can I just check that, ma'am? It's his boat - or it WAS his boat.
Weapon's clear.
He's dead now.
He used to keep it on board to protect himself.
He was the one who taught me how to sail.
MAN ON RADIO: X-ray 2, this is Charlie 2.
Everything in order over there? The equipment's good, ma'am.
I'll restow the raft.
Uh, roger that, sir.
Nil damage to report.
It appears nothing's been stolen.
This is Charlie 2.
Roger.
I want you to note Clair's chart and see if it indicates a plotted course prior to the attack, as a precaution - over.
This is X-ray 2.
Roger that.
Out.
Clair given your ordeal, are you sure that you want to continue on your own? I've been planning this trip for six years.
I'm not gonna let a hiccup like this get in my way.
MAN ON RADIO: Bridge, Comcen.
I've just picked up a mayday.
Nature of mayday, RO.
I'm unable to ascertain that, ma'am.
Transmission was cut short.
I've got two stationary contacts, bearing 105.
Charlie 2, this is X-ray 2.
Both boats appear to be deserted.
Over.
Approach with caution, X.
Make sure Chefo's covering them.
Roger that, sir.
Remember, X, we still have hostiles in this area.
According to Miss Watts, sir.
MAN: Let's get out of here.
Go, go, go! Charlie 2, three leaving the launch.
Over.
(GUNFIRE) Alarm Bandits.
Take cover behind the launch! Check, check, check! NAV: Do you want to pursue them, sir? As much as I'd like to, Nav, our priority's with the motor launch.
This is Charlie 2.
Everyone OK? Affirmative, sir.
Thanks for the cover fire! We're going to proceed to board.
Over.
OK, let's go.
MAN: They said over the radio they were almost out of fuel.
Wanted to buy some from us.
ET? They took a bit of cash, Mr Phillips's Rolex and the GPS.
They took my Boker fishing knives too.
They're worth a fortune.
The mongrels.
You're still alive, sir.
That's the main thing.
Charlie 2, this is X-ray 2.
Over.
CO: This is Charlie 2.
Roger.
There are three POB, sir.
They're shaken by the experience, but unharmed.
Can they get home without their GPS? Affirmative.
The boat owner is a skilled navigator.
Over.
Roger- instruct them to report to police the minute they berth, X.
This is Charlie 2 out.
OK.
This is X-ray 2 out.
A hijack in the Arafura Sea, then the attack on Clair Watts and now this.
It's a fair bet they're all connected.
With all due respect, sir, I don't agree.
Four bandits in a speedboat, X.
The hostiles today, they used a ruse about needing more fuel.
That's inconsistent with the Clair Watts attack, as is the fact that nothing was stolen from her boat.
Leave the theorising to the police.
Sure.
Oh, brekkie.
Better late than never.
Blame Captain Hook, Charge, not me.
Hey, no pirates in these waters, Chefo - according to the X, that is.
(Men laugh) You change those undies yet, Spide? (Laughs) Yeah, funny.
You know those guys could be the ones that killed Sam Murray.
And maybe even his mate Carl.
Mate, Carl's definitely fish food.
Put your house on it.
I just don't think we should joke about it, that's all.
I agree with Spider, and in memory of his two fishing mates why don't I cook up their crabs for lunch? Nice.
Oh, nice.
RCC report another distress signal.
Recommend come right 180.
Roger.
Officer of the watch, come right 180.
Increase 24.
Aye, sir.
Check clear starboard.
Clear starboard.
Roger.
Starboard 20.
Starboard 20.
Altering 180.
Altering 180.
Revolutions 880.
Revolutions 880, ma'am.
I have a visual! Lone swimmer in the water! Stand by to recover by swimmer.
Have just spotted a person in the water.
Stand by to recover by swimmer.
Sir, it's Clair Watts.
Any other injuries that you're aware of? No, no.
Just l'm cold.
Wrap this around you.
Sir.
Clair.
What happened? It was the same guys as before.
They they just radioed.
They wanted to, um, borrow petrol and And then just before I realised it was a trick, I I mean, what do they want from me? Maybe they got scared off the first time and came back to ransack the boat.
How are you doing? Thank you.
Thank you.
It's OK.
Hey, uh what's this, Clair? It's a shark-deterrent device.
It's a shield for sharks.
OK.
Good work, ET.
Take Clair below, both of you get out of those wet clothes and shower off.
Just not together.
Mind yourself there.
ET? Thank you.
That's alright.
No - thanks.
Hey, Clair, that's what we do.
It's fine, OK? You don't have to thank me.
You're still cold.
I think, um we'll have to get you some overalls.
Spider, can you please uh, take Clair and get her some overalls, please? Uh, why can't you get her overalls? Because I gotta take a shower.
Alright, Seaman? Uh, yes, Leader.
Um, ma'am, would you like to come with me, please? Uh, Clair, I've got some, um, clean overalls here for you.
I'll just leave them outside the Um, they're Lieutenant Caetano's.
They're probably the right fit.
Oh, thank you Seaman Webb.
Spider what are you grinning about? Nothing, ma'am.
Have you seen Miss Watts? No.
Is she in there? Well Uh, um, maybe, ma'am.
Clair? Just a sec.
Oh.
Oh, Seaman Webb was kind enough to deliver them by hand.
You're dismissed, Seaman Webb.
We've managed to locate your boat again.
You're kidding me.
It would seem these pirates don't really have a use for it.
(Laughs disbelievingly) After you.
XO: It appears the boat's been ransacked this time and Clair's made a list of the items that are missing.
And the electronic gear? ET's checking it out now, but it appears that the boat is seaworthy and fit to sail - over.
This is Charlie 2.
Roger.
Nothing's been stolen that my insurance can't cover.
Oh, that's the main thing, ma'am.
Consider yourself lucky.
I can't believe it.
I take it you're determined to press on? Oh, wind's up, so I'll be out of here in no time.
Well, that's if the wind doesn't drop out altogether.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news What is it? Autopilot.
Looks like someone's taken a disliking to it.
"Whatever they don't steal, they sabotage.
" That's the only thing that lets me get some sleep.
ET, can you fix it? Yeah, sure.
Gonna take a while, but, uh l'll stay here until it's done.
Yeah, OK - well, the three of us will head back on board and grab some lunch.
I'll leave you with the radio.
Yep.
Well, I'll get changed.
Oh.
Let us know when you're finished.
(Men laugh) CLAIR: I was easing along with my genoa pole down, and my main paid well out.
And apart from the occasional slatting of the main, my life was good.
And then I went down below to catch 40 winks and it was bang! My autopilot belt snapped.
I've got no autopilot.
What'd you do? Alternator belt? Yes.
(Laughs) No, actually, I freed a whisker pole that had gotten tangled in a preventer line, and then I used a spare alternator belt to fashion a jury-rig.
Nice.
Thank you.
Do you know what she's talking about, Buff? I have no idea, but I sure do like the cut of her jib.
What have we got, Chefo? The usual, boss.
Plus Spider's famous Bright Island crabs in hoisin sauce and calamari marinated in garlic and ginger.
Yeah, try the crabs, sir.
The calamari's not half-bad either.
Where'd you get it, Chefo? You remember the one we caught up our mast.
I think I'll have a snag.
My dad was in the RAN, so I know how hard it is for a guy to be away from female companionship for such a long time.
Well, especially for poor old Swain.
His wife's about to push one out, isn't she, Swain? Yeah.
And poor old Chefo here's about to tie the knot.
Aren't ya, buddy? (Fake French accent) Sausage? No, I'm vego.
Oh.
You said your dad was in the navy? Yeah, served Launceston, uh, Hobart and Dubbo before he died quite some years ago.
Patrol boats.
Yeah! He loved them.
Clair, I was wondering if I could have a word.
Yeah, sure.
Clair, I'd like you to set sail for the nearest port and stay there a while.
Excuse me? It would appear these 'pirates' have taken a particular liking to your boat.
I just think it would be safer if you stay off the water until they're apprehended.
Is this because I'm a woman? Well, being a lone female sailor does make you a prime target.
Something tells me if you go back out there this is going to happen again.
Yep, maybe.
Yeah, maybe I could I could do some time in a port.
I've been meaning to replace the wire rigging on my mast.
Excuse me, sir.
Sorry to interrupt.
I was thinking while we're waiting for ET to finish, I might be able to take Clair on a tour of the boat, seeing as her father served? Very good, Buff.
After you, ma'am.
Thanks.
Yeah, almost done here, boss.
Just give me five.
Over.
Roger, ET.
Charlie 2 out.
And this is the bridge, control centre of the ship.
Oh, everything looks so old.
Oh, well, present company excluded, of course.
Charming, Nav.
MAN: Sir, Lieutenant Smith on HF.
Roger, RO.
Lieutenant Smith, what can I do for you? Coastwatch have picked up that fleet of FFVs in your vicinity.
How are you placed? I can be away in 15 minutes.
What's their position? Already given them to the RO.
Roger.
Uh, stay on line, will you? I wanna have a word with you from the Comcen.
Do you get lonely out there, ma'am? Nah.
I love being alone.
My joy of sailing decreases just a little bit with every person that's on board.
And there's 24 people on board this ship.
(Laughs) Yeah.
(Laughs) Yeah.
Well, we should, um let's move on.
Yeah.
Thank you! Thank you for everything! (All shout farewell) Crash into a reef.
Get eaten by a shark.
Thank you, Buffer! NAV: Range to FFV reported position five miles.
Still nothing on radar.
Nothing visual.
Sir, maybe NAVCOM gave us a time-stale position.
Did you plot the position correctly, Nav? Are you sure you're right? If the FFVs are wooden hulled the radar mightn't be picking them up.
Wooden boats or not, they'd paint up on radar at this distance.
Double-check your plot.
Spider, you OK? Yeah, yeah.
I think I just ate too much of that squid.
I um I appear to have made a slight error.
My longitude's out by one degree.
One degree? 60 miles! I don't know how, s (Sighs) We need to come about, new course - 270.
Roger.
Bring her round.
Starboard 20.
Helm.
Spider, pay attention! (Gasps) Spider?! (Pants and coughs) Swain? Spider too? How many others? We've got two in the mess, including Buffer.
Chefo! Chefo! Grab him.
What's going on, Swain? No idea, boss.
Could be food poisoning, but there's been no vomiting, just dizziness, tightness of chest, pins and needles How serious is this? Oh, Swain, Swain, get in here! He's having some kind of fit! Officer of the watch, set course for home.
Top of the green.
Someone get me some pillows! XO: Is Spider OK, sir? Just get us heading for base at best speed - now! MAN: We're running a toxicology test, so I'm gonna need a list of everything you've eaten.
Are you saying it's my fault? Chefo, give it to him.
It was a barbie, so the normal thing.
Meat, salad, squid, crab.
How fresh was the seafood? I'm gonna ignore that question.
Able! Alright.
The squid was fresh, the crabs were frozen.
The Bright Island crabs? Yeah.
OK.
If you can come with me, we'll make that list.
Sir, I'd, uh better go with Chefo.
Hello.
Agent Murphy.
What are you doing here? We're picking up Sam Murray's pathology.
The murdered fisherman? It's, uh, Federal Police business.
Will you excuse us? I don't know what the hurry is.
I could tell them what cause of death was - bullet to the head.
There's a connection here, X.
Mmm.
Think about it.
A dead marine biologist, a murdered fisherman, and now a bag of crabs that have put my team into hospital.
You know, I don't get it.
Bright Island's the common denominator.
But how could a murdered fisherman be related to food poisoning? I'm gonna hang around here for a while and suss it out.
Yeah, well, what's there to suss out? You know, you're starting to sound like Chefo with all these conspiracy theories, sir.
It's a professional-looking website.
Wait until you see the video diary.
Hello.
Well, I'm still alive.
Uh, today I was attacked by pirates and then I swam with the sharks for a bit, and then I was rescued by the navy twice.
And, um, those boys are yeah, they are they're something pretty special.
So, conditions are calm and I'm planning on being in Townsville by later this evening.
And please, please keep up your donations for the MH Foundation.
It really needs your support.
That's me for today.
Over and out.
She's raising money for the Mental Health Foundation - it's a legitimate cause.
She claims she's attacked by pirates.
She abandons ship in fear of her life, yet she still has time to strap on a shark shield? The crew seemed to buy it.
Yeah, but the crew aren't thinking with their heads.
What are you girls up to? Nothing.
Weather check.
Nothing.
Weather check.
How you doing, Spide? (Sighs) Dodgy squid.
They're gonna be fine.
Bit of rest is all they need now.
Were they poisoned? I'll have to I'm just an intern.
I've got a chef over there who's convinced he's almost killed his mates.
I'd like to put his mind at ease if I can.
It wasn't his cooking.
The poison found was consistent with a couple of recent deaths.
Your men are very lucky.
Was Sam Murray one of those deaths? I understand your anger, Mike My people have been put in danger by a command decision to cover up Bright Island.
There is no cover-up.
I've just been given the details myself.
This is politically sensitive.
OK.
OK.
Lisa Holmes and Sam Murray were both killed by the same toxin that poisoned my men.
Sam Murray also had a bullet in his head.
And, sir, Dr Morrell is missing.
Now, they're all pieces of the same puzzle - I'm convinced of that.
But what I don't know is how they fit together.
Mike, the official line on this is that it's an environmental issue, right? Is that clear? Environmental.
Yeah.
Can we move on? Yes, sir.
Now, thanks to your sitrep, the speedboat was apprehended this morning in the Arafura by the 'Kingston' Lieutenant Commander Curry caught the bandits? Yeah, fairly unscrupulous bunch by the sound of it, and I'd say the female sailor is very lucky.
Yeah, well, she's agreed to head to the nearest port, so we won't be seeing her again.
Sir, I Is everything OK? Do I look like a fool to you, X? Is that a rhetorical question, sir? I'm being fed a lot of garbage here.
I don't know whether to swallow it or spit it back up.
Whatever's best for the navy, I'd suggest.
The navy would have us believe that Bright Island is an environmental disaster - attack of the toxic crabs.
Sounds plausible.
It still doesn't explain why Ursula Morrell disappeared, does it? What's the connection with Ursula? Bright Island.
Perhaps Ursula just wanted a change of scenery.
It's been known to happen in relationships.
You know, Kate, people do break off relationships for more complicated reasons than just wanting a change of scenery.
Well, Dr Morrell is a big marine biologist who I'm sure can look after herself.
NAV: Fleet of FFVs stationary, bearing 320, range six miles.
Roger that, Nav.
Captain has the con.
Darken ship.
Isolate upper deck speakers.
Would you like to increase speed, sir? Negative.
Nice and slow.
We're just another illegal fishing vessel looking for a place to drop our long lines.
It's good to be back in the hunt, sir.
As opposed to being shot at by bandits or rescuing damsels in distress? Roger that, X.
NAV: Buff, I've got a series of floats painting on the radar.
Looks like their long lines are in the water.
Hands in the cookie jar.
Prepare hands for boarding, X.
Aye, sir.
Hands to boarding stations.
Hands to boarding stations.
I wish Buff was here.
He loves all this night-time insertion stuff.
Sir? Range to contact Roger.
Carry on the sea boat.
CO: Keep alongside me in the lead, X.
Don't want anyone getting any wetter than they have to.
Wait for my signal to insert.
Over.
Range to contact 1,000 yards.
With any luck, we'll be right on top of them before they even know we're there.
RO: Bridge, Comcen.
Sir, I'm picking up a mayday call.
Call sign Charlie Lima Sierra X-ray.
Caller's identifying herself as Clair Watts on 'Clair de Lune' What's the nature of the mayday, RO? She claims she's under attack by pirates, sir.
Roger.
RADIO: Mayday, mayday, mayday.
This is 'Clair de Lune', In position 10 degrees 'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship.
What is the nature of your emergency? Over.
Under attack.
Repeat - under attack.
Four men in a speedboat aggressively ciRCling my vessel.
RO, NAVCOM on the satphone now.
This is 'Hammersley' Stand by.
Is there another boat better positioned to render assistance? We're on top of the FFVs, about to board.
I'll have to check on that, sir.
I'll get back to you ASAP.
Mayday, mayday, mayday.
I'm being attacked by pirates.
Require immediate assistance.
Repeat, require immediate assistance.
Sir, she's 123 miles south-west of us.
We won't reach her before daylight.
RADIO: Charlie 2, this is X-ray 2.
We have the first FFV right ahead of us.
Awaiting insertion signal.
Over.
X-ray 2, this is Charlie 2.
Abort the boarding and return to me immediately.
I say again - abort, abort, abort.
Return to me.
Over.
MAN: What? We're right on This is X-ray 2.
Roger that.
Out.
What?! We're on top of them! OK.
Let's head home.
Why did we abort? Three guesses.
They all start with Clair and end in mayday.
You're not serious.
Mm-hm.
Where's the CO? In his cabin.
Clair Watts? She's crying wolf.
She has never been attacked by pirates, and even if she had been, those bandits have been taken off the water.
She is making false reports, she's seeking attention.
Or maybe publicity to help raise money for her cause - I don't know.
But her maydays are bogus - I would stake my career on it.
Finished? You know we can't ignore a mayday.
We have a duty of care to render assistance without prejudice.
I understand that, but to have the fleet right there with their long lines in the water, and to give that up for the girl who is playing with people's I What?! NAV: Captain, sir, officer of the watch.
Request you come to the bridge.
On my way.
Yes, Nav? This is the chart showing the position that Clair Watts radioed in.
Unsurveyed waters.
Outside the survey zones of confidence.
This was last surveyed by Cook and Flinders, boss.
We might as well go in blind for all the good this does us.
There's a fair amount of shallow water there.
We'll need the right tide, sun to be in the right position, so there's no glare on the water In just about any circumstances, sir, I would not recommend going in there.
There is a very strong risk we'd run the ship aground.
RO: Bridge, Comcen.
Sir, I just got a call from the RCC.
They just picked up Clair Watts's EPIRB.
I can't raise her on VHF.
Cable party closed up and anchor is ready for letting go.
The ship is in DC State 3 Condition Yankee.
Very good, Nav.
Echo sounder operator, report depth every half metre.
Roger that.
Depth nine metres steady.
All lookouts report the slightest discolouration in the water.
Depth 8.
5 metres.
Shoaling.
Contact! 'Clair de Lune' Range 6 nautical miles, bearing 180.
Starboard 10, steer 180.
Starboard 10, steer 180.
Depth 8 metres, shoaling slowly.
'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship, calling you on VHF channel 16 - over.
Coral bommie! Straight ahead.
About 100 yards! Port 30! Port 30! Very good.
Midships.
Midships.
Starboard 20, steer 180.
Starboard 20, steer 180.
Well done, Nav.
Coral bommie wasn't on the chart, sir.
Mark it.
It will be now.
XO: 'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship calling you on VHF channel 16 - over.
ET: Depth, 6.
5 metres, shoaling slowly.
Do you wanna take the con, sir? You're doing fine, Nav.
Take us in.
Sir, email just in from Lieutenant Smith at NAVCOM.
Call depth! Depth 6 metres.
Shoaling.
Depth 5.
5 metres.
Depth 5 metres, shoaling rapidly, ma'am.
Depth 5 metres.
I have Clair's yacht visual! Stop both engines.
Full astern both engines.
Stop both engines.
Full astern both engines.
Stand by to anchor! Stop both engines.
Let go.
Stop both engines.
Both engines stopped, ma'am.
Where the hell have you been?! Where were you?! I was beginning to think that no-one was coming! You're very lucky we did.
You'd drifted into unsurveyed waters.
I didn't drift! I was forced into the area by the pirates' speedboat.
These would be the same pirates who attacked you earlier? Yes! Why didn't you respond to our radio transmissions? I would have if I had a radio that worked! The pirates smashed all my communications and just about everything else on the boat! There was a bit of a mess.
Engine's been disabled.
Is this how the navy treats its civilian sailors now, is it? With suspicion and accusation.
Oh, I haven't accused you of anything yet, Clair.
You think that I destroyed my own boat?! I was attacked! I had Command run a search of your father.
He was RNIN'd - dishonourably discharged - six years ago.
We tracked him down to a psychiatric hospital in Perth.
He's still very much alive.
I thought we had an agreement.
I warned you to stay off the water, quit these false maydays, and yet you've deliberately tied up navy resources Leading Seaman Holiday, remain with Miss Watts.
Make sure she's comfortable.
Aye, sir.
XO: The VHF is ruined, GPS, radar detector all disabled.
Even the barometer's been smashed.
Over.
And the engine? Charge is looking at it now.
We found a scanner amongst her stuff with emergency frequencies programmed in, which explains how she acquired the information on the real bandits - over.
Engine's shot.
We'll have to wait till high tide to tow her off.
Thanks - uh, Charge says the engine is a no-go and recommends a tow at high tide - over.
Roger, X.
I'll send the RHIB for you.
Out.
You believe me, don't you? Do you want any water or food? I can go and get some from the galley.
I missed you.
Clair I should probably stand outside What? What? What?! What is wrong with me? Whoa! What - do you just think that because you're in the navy you've got some kind of moral superiority?! You don't! You don't! Calm down, Clair! My dad, he didn't do anything wrong.
He didn't do anything wrong.
Clair, no-one's saying anything about your father, OK? ET, is there a problem Clair.
Put the gun down.
(Cocks gun) Put the gun down, please, Clair.
Clair, look at me.
Look at me, Clair.
You're safe here.
My dad, he didn't do anything wrong.
No, he didn't.
He was a good man.
Yep.
He was a good man, Clair.
And a fine sailor.
Yeah.
And you're helping him.
You're helping him, Clair.
Sailing round Australia, raising funds for people like him.
Lots of people.
You're helping lots of people.
Yeah.
You're doing a great job.
Great job.
OK? You OK? I'm tired.
You're tired? Yeah, OK.
Come here.
You're safe here.
You OK, ET? Yep.
That's it, Clair.
Revenge on the navy for her old man's discharge.
I reckon she must have loved all the attention.
Definitely a loon.
I reckon they call it the rescue complex.
So, what - you're saying she needed to be rescued? The rescue complex refers to the one doing the rescuing.
You seemed pretty keen to want to rescue her.
I'm glad she didn't shoot you, though.
Well, you know, maybe 'glad's too strong a word.
The navy are saying it's environmental.
Something about toxic ground water.
World War II army base - fuel and sewerage contaminating the island.
The CO thinks there's more to it.
Is he right? Kate, what is it they say about loose lips? Nothing a good dose of collagen wouldn't fix? (Laughs) Ladies.
It's starting to look like the tide was running out.
(Laughs) Thank you.
Lieutenant Darryl Smith, Federal Agent Alicia Turnball.
Hello there.
How are you? Excuse me for a sec.
Wait a sec.
Hello, sailors.
How are you both feeling? Oh, much better, thank you, ma'am.
X, I am so hungry, I could eat the sleep out of a cow's eye.
Well, that's good, mate, 'cause I think Chefo just ordered for you.
That's right.
I've got crabs if you boys want 'em.
That's not what I meant.
That is l'm out of here.
(All laugh) You gonna join us? I'm having a drink with, uh (Laughs) Who would have thought? Sure.
Why not? Great.
Depth of EPIRB position is 22m.
Clear water all around.
Wind light and variable, Sea State One.
About as perfect out there as it gets.
Who'd need rescuing on a day like today? It's obviously not an illegal fisherman, given the distress signal.
Just in from the RCC.
The EPIRB's registered to a Mr C.
Watts and his sloop, 'Clair de Lune' Says there he's attempting to solo-navigate Australia.
I should have guessed.
It's a yachtie.
Yachtie or not, he obviously needs a bit of help, ET.
'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship calling you on VHF channel 16 - over.
Range to datum, eight miles.
MAN ON RADIO: I'm picking up a signal on 121 megahertz bearing 280.
Sailing vessel 'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship calling you on VHF Channel 16 - over.
Anything, Buff? Nothing, sir.
Horizon's clear.
No sign of Wait.
I have a visual at red five far.
Still no response on the VHF, boss.
That's because he's not in his boat.
Hands to FAIDEX stations.
Hands to FAIDEX stations.
Hands to FAIDEX stations.
Officer of the watch, come left 270.
Aye, sir.
Come left 270.
ET: Amateur sailors.
Scourge of the sea, Chefo.
Most of these guys couldn't navigate their way around a bathtub.
(Laughs) Steady on, ET.
I reckon it takes guts to sail around on your tod.
Now, don't confuse bravery with stupidity.
Most of these jokers are too rich or too old to know any better.
I'd like to hear you say that to this guy's face, ET.
I intend to, Buff, don't you worry.
Ahoy there, Mr Watts! This is the Australian Navy! The old fart's probably fast asleep.
Hoy, Mr Watts! The cavalry's arrived! Mr Watts! Wakey, wakey! Hands off Am I glad to see you guys! Right! Lift her up! Get her up there! Good stuff.
Stow her away.
Let me get that life jacket for you, ma'am.
You must've been out there a while.
Sorry, ma'am.
No, no, I'm not I'm not really that cold.
Thank you.
Charge! Does everyone need to be mustered? Isn't there a temperature anomaly with one of your diesels that your sailors are yet to sort out? Blokes just wanna have a bit of a gander.
It was really bizarre - you kind of look like a cousin of mine.
They were in a speedboat, four of them - all in balaclavas.
I took off in the life raft.
I hoped they'd let me go if I abandoned the boat.
Why didn't you mayday? Barely had time to get the EPIRB.
The pirates were about to board me.
(Laughs) Pirates? There's no pirates in these waters.
Guys in masks, armed with automatic weapons, brandishing machetes.
I would call them pirates.
Mmm.
Yeah, absolutely.
Sir, it could've been the same guys that killed Sam Murray.
They ransacked his boat.
Yeah, Buff said it was a work of piracy, X.
CO: OK.
Miss Watts, I reckon today's been your lucky day.
Though I don't like your chances of recovering your boat.
Yeah, but the navy's gonna do everything it can, so Sorry.
What happened to your forearm there, ma'am? Oh, I did that getting off the yacht.
(Hisses) Ow! Sir, request permission that all non-essential personnel leave the wardroom immediately.
Miss Watts is in need of medical attention.
I'll assist Swain, sir, as second medic.
I'm the second medic.
Do you need the bag? That'd be great.
Thanks, mate.
Yeah.
(Laughs) The young woman reported four heavily armed hostiles.
MAN: Did she give a description of their speedboat? She was too distressed to remember details, sir.
Coastwatch responded to a hijack two days ago in the Arafura Sea that also involved four assailants in a speedboat.
Miss Watts used the term 'pirates' though my guess is You doubt her story? Why would you get out of a manoeuvrable yacht into a rudderless life raft to escape from pirates? Sounds like the poor thing was in fear of her life.
Sir, I've got a stationary contact approximately 12 miles to the south-east.
Set course for it, Nav.
Yes, sir.
Let's hope we can give Miss Watts some good news after all.
It's different for a girl.
A guy wants to do it alone, it's no big deal.
A girl wants to sail solo and she's out of her depth.
Well, some might say that recent events have just proved that.
I can take care of myself! I'm an excellent sailor.
Yeah, ease off, Swain.
I reckon you'd be a great sailor.
Hmm.
So, why are you sailing around Oz? Just for the hell of it or? Raising money for charity.
Oh, great.
Yeah! You guys should check out my website - clairsjourney.
com.
I do a webcam diary every day.
You guys are gonna get a mention for sure.
Ah.
(Laughs) If I've got a boat to go back to.
No, you'll have a boat.
We'll find it.
Find it myself if I have to.
Hello.
Hey.
You must be Clair.
Yeah.
Got some good news.
Coming up on your yacht now.
Is she damaged? Doesn't appear so from a distance, but as soon as Swain is done Ah, yes, ma'am.
We'll get you back on the RHIB, assess her stem to stern, make sure she's safe.
Right, well, I'll, um, escort her back.
I'll escort you back.
Nice yacht.
Very nice, ma'am.
She's got beautiful lines.
Yeah.
All clear, X.
Pretty neat pirates.
Or maybe just a messy sailor.
Mind your step.
Have a look around and see if anything's missing.
Pirates tend to grab anything and everything they can get their mitts on.
And what they don't steal, they sabotage.
It looks like everything's here.
Have a really good look.
ET.
Electronics - do you wanna check them? Hey, Buffer.
Oh, it's my dad's gun.
Can I just check that, ma'am? It's his boat - or it WAS his boat.
Weapon's clear.
He's dead now.
He used to keep it on board to protect himself.
He was the one who taught me how to sail.
MAN ON RADIO: X-ray 2, this is Charlie 2.
Everything in order over there? The equipment's good, ma'am.
I'll restow the raft.
Uh, roger that, sir.
Nil damage to report.
It appears nothing's been stolen.
This is Charlie 2.
Roger.
I want you to note Clair's chart and see if it indicates a plotted course prior to the attack, as a precaution - over.
This is X-ray 2.
Roger that.
Out.
Clair given your ordeal, are you sure that you want to continue on your own? I've been planning this trip for six years.
I'm not gonna let a hiccup like this get in my way.
MAN ON RADIO: Bridge, Comcen.
I've just picked up a mayday.
Nature of mayday, RO.
I'm unable to ascertain that, ma'am.
Transmission was cut short.
I've got two stationary contacts, bearing 105.
Charlie 2, this is X-ray 2.
Both boats appear to be deserted.
Over.
Approach with caution, X.
Make sure Chefo's covering them.
Roger that, sir.
Remember, X, we still have hostiles in this area.
According to Miss Watts, sir.
MAN: Let's get out of here.
Go, go, go! Charlie 2, three leaving the launch.
Over.
(GUNFIRE) Alarm Bandits.
Take cover behind the launch! Check, check, check! NAV: Do you want to pursue them, sir? As much as I'd like to, Nav, our priority's with the motor launch.
This is Charlie 2.
Everyone OK? Affirmative, sir.
Thanks for the cover fire! We're going to proceed to board.
Over.
OK, let's go.
MAN: They said over the radio they were almost out of fuel.
Wanted to buy some from us.
ET? They took a bit of cash, Mr Phillips's Rolex and the GPS.
They took my Boker fishing knives too.
They're worth a fortune.
The mongrels.
You're still alive, sir.
That's the main thing.
Charlie 2, this is X-ray 2.
Over.
CO: This is Charlie 2.
Roger.
There are three POB, sir.
They're shaken by the experience, but unharmed.
Can they get home without their GPS? Affirmative.
The boat owner is a skilled navigator.
Over.
Roger- instruct them to report to police the minute they berth, X.
This is Charlie 2 out.
OK.
This is X-ray 2 out.
A hijack in the Arafura Sea, then the attack on Clair Watts and now this.
It's a fair bet they're all connected.
With all due respect, sir, I don't agree.
Four bandits in a speedboat, X.
The hostiles today, they used a ruse about needing more fuel.
That's inconsistent with the Clair Watts attack, as is the fact that nothing was stolen from her boat.
Leave the theorising to the police.
Sure.
Oh, brekkie.
Better late than never.
Blame Captain Hook, Charge, not me.
Hey, no pirates in these waters, Chefo - according to the X, that is.
(Men laugh) You change those undies yet, Spide? (Laughs) Yeah, funny.
You know those guys could be the ones that killed Sam Murray.
And maybe even his mate Carl.
Mate, Carl's definitely fish food.
Put your house on it.
I just don't think we should joke about it, that's all.
I agree with Spider, and in memory of his two fishing mates why don't I cook up their crabs for lunch? Nice.
Oh, nice.
RCC report another distress signal.
Recommend come right 180.
Roger.
Officer of the watch, come right 180.
Increase 24.
Aye, sir.
Check clear starboard.
Clear starboard.
Roger.
Starboard 20.
Starboard 20.
Altering 180.
Altering 180.
Revolutions 880.
Revolutions 880, ma'am.
I have a visual! Lone swimmer in the water! Stand by to recover by swimmer.
Have just spotted a person in the water.
Stand by to recover by swimmer.
Sir, it's Clair Watts.
Any other injuries that you're aware of? No, no.
Just l'm cold.
Wrap this around you.
Sir.
Clair.
What happened? It was the same guys as before.
They they just radioed.
They wanted to, um, borrow petrol and And then just before I realised it was a trick, I I mean, what do they want from me? Maybe they got scared off the first time and came back to ransack the boat.
How are you doing? Thank you.
Thank you.
It's OK.
Hey, uh what's this, Clair? It's a shark-deterrent device.
It's a shield for sharks.
OK.
Good work, ET.
Take Clair below, both of you get out of those wet clothes and shower off.
Just not together.
Mind yourself there.
ET? Thank you.
That's alright.
No - thanks.
Hey, Clair, that's what we do.
It's fine, OK? You don't have to thank me.
You're still cold.
I think, um we'll have to get you some overalls.
Spider, can you please uh, take Clair and get her some overalls, please? Uh, why can't you get her overalls? Because I gotta take a shower.
Alright, Seaman? Uh, yes, Leader.
Um, ma'am, would you like to come with me, please? Uh, Clair, I've got some, um, clean overalls here for you.
I'll just leave them outside the Um, they're Lieutenant Caetano's.
They're probably the right fit.
Oh, thank you Seaman Webb.
Spider what are you grinning about? Nothing, ma'am.
Have you seen Miss Watts? No.
Is she in there? Well Uh, um, maybe, ma'am.
Clair? Just a sec.
Oh.
Oh, Seaman Webb was kind enough to deliver them by hand.
You're dismissed, Seaman Webb.
We've managed to locate your boat again.
You're kidding me.
It would seem these pirates don't really have a use for it.
(Laughs disbelievingly) After you.
XO: It appears the boat's been ransacked this time and Clair's made a list of the items that are missing.
And the electronic gear? ET's checking it out now, but it appears that the boat is seaworthy and fit to sail - over.
This is Charlie 2.
Roger.
Nothing's been stolen that my insurance can't cover.
Oh, that's the main thing, ma'am.
Consider yourself lucky.
I can't believe it.
I take it you're determined to press on? Oh, wind's up, so I'll be out of here in no time.
Well, that's if the wind doesn't drop out altogether.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news What is it? Autopilot.
Looks like someone's taken a disliking to it.
"Whatever they don't steal, they sabotage.
" That's the only thing that lets me get some sleep.
ET, can you fix it? Yeah, sure.
Gonna take a while, but, uh l'll stay here until it's done.
Yeah, OK - well, the three of us will head back on board and grab some lunch.
I'll leave you with the radio.
Yep.
Well, I'll get changed.
Oh.
Let us know when you're finished.
(Men laugh) CLAIR: I was easing along with my genoa pole down, and my main paid well out.
And apart from the occasional slatting of the main, my life was good.
And then I went down below to catch 40 winks and it was bang! My autopilot belt snapped.
I've got no autopilot.
What'd you do? Alternator belt? Yes.
(Laughs) No, actually, I freed a whisker pole that had gotten tangled in a preventer line, and then I used a spare alternator belt to fashion a jury-rig.
Nice.
Thank you.
Do you know what she's talking about, Buff? I have no idea, but I sure do like the cut of her jib.
What have we got, Chefo? The usual, boss.
Plus Spider's famous Bright Island crabs in hoisin sauce and calamari marinated in garlic and ginger.
Yeah, try the crabs, sir.
The calamari's not half-bad either.
Where'd you get it, Chefo? You remember the one we caught up our mast.
I think I'll have a snag.
My dad was in the RAN, so I know how hard it is for a guy to be away from female companionship for such a long time.
Well, especially for poor old Swain.
His wife's about to push one out, isn't she, Swain? Yeah.
And poor old Chefo here's about to tie the knot.
Aren't ya, buddy? (Fake French accent) Sausage? No, I'm vego.
Oh.
You said your dad was in the navy? Yeah, served Launceston, uh, Hobart and Dubbo before he died quite some years ago.
Patrol boats.
Yeah! He loved them.
Clair, I was wondering if I could have a word.
Yeah, sure.
Clair, I'd like you to set sail for the nearest port and stay there a while.
Excuse me? It would appear these 'pirates' have taken a particular liking to your boat.
I just think it would be safer if you stay off the water until they're apprehended.
Is this because I'm a woman? Well, being a lone female sailor does make you a prime target.
Something tells me if you go back out there this is going to happen again.
Yep, maybe.
Yeah, maybe I could I could do some time in a port.
I've been meaning to replace the wire rigging on my mast.
Excuse me, sir.
Sorry to interrupt.
I was thinking while we're waiting for ET to finish, I might be able to take Clair on a tour of the boat, seeing as her father served? Very good, Buff.
After you, ma'am.
Thanks.
Yeah, almost done here, boss.
Just give me five.
Over.
Roger, ET.
Charlie 2 out.
And this is the bridge, control centre of the ship.
Oh, everything looks so old.
Oh, well, present company excluded, of course.
Charming, Nav.
MAN: Sir, Lieutenant Smith on HF.
Roger, RO.
Lieutenant Smith, what can I do for you? Coastwatch have picked up that fleet of FFVs in your vicinity.
How are you placed? I can be away in 15 minutes.
What's their position? Already given them to the RO.
Roger.
Uh, stay on line, will you? I wanna have a word with you from the Comcen.
Do you get lonely out there, ma'am? Nah.
I love being alone.
My joy of sailing decreases just a little bit with every person that's on board.
And there's 24 people on board this ship.
(Laughs) Yeah.
(Laughs) Yeah.
Well, we should, um let's move on.
Yeah.
Thank you! Thank you for everything! (All shout farewell) Crash into a reef.
Get eaten by a shark.
Thank you, Buffer! NAV: Range to FFV reported position five miles.
Still nothing on radar.
Nothing visual.
Sir, maybe NAVCOM gave us a time-stale position.
Did you plot the position correctly, Nav? Are you sure you're right? If the FFVs are wooden hulled the radar mightn't be picking them up.
Wooden boats or not, they'd paint up on radar at this distance.
Double-check your plot.
Spider, you OK? Yeah, yeah.
I think I just ate too much of that squid.
I um I appear to have made a slight error.
My longitude's out by one degree.
One degree? 60 miles! I don't know how, s (Sighs) We need to come about, new course - 270.
Roger.
Bring her round.
Starboard 20.
Helm.
Spider, pay attention! (Gasps) Spider?! (Pants and coughs) Swain? Spider too? How many others? We've got two in the mess, including Buffer.
Chefo! Chefo! Grab him.
What's going on, Swain? No idea, boss.
Could be food poisoning, but there's been no vomiting, just dizziness, tightness of chest, pins and needles How serious is this? Oh, Swain, Swain, get in here! He's having some kind of fit! Officer of the watch, set course for home.
Top of the green.
Someone get me some pillows! XO: Is Spider OK, sir? Just get us heading for base at best speed - now! MAN: We're running a toxicology test, so I'm gonna need a list of everything you've eaten.
Are you saying it's my fault? Chefo, give it to him.
It was a barbie, so the normal thing.
Meat, salad, squid, crab.
How fresh was the seafood? I'm gonna ignore that question.
Able! Alright.
The squid was fresh, the crabs were frozen.
The Bright Island crabs? Yeah.
OK.
If you can come with me, we'll make that list.
Sir, I'd, uh better go with Chefo.
Hello.
Agent Murphy.
What are you doing here? We're picking up Sam Murray's pathology.
The murdered fisherman? It's, uh, Federal Police business.
Will you excuse us? I don't know what the hurry is.
I could tell them what cause of death was - bullet to the head.
There's a connection here, X.
Mmm.
Think about it.
A dead marine biologist, a murdered fisherman, and now a bag of crabs that have put my team into hospital.
You know, I don't get it.
Bright Island's the common denominator.
But how could a murdered fisherman be related to food poisoning? I'm gonna hang around here for a while and suss it out.
Yeah, well, what's there to suss out? You know, you're starting to sound like Chefo with all these conspiracy theories, sir.
It's a professional-looking website.
Wait until you see the video diary.
Hello.
Well, I'm still alive.
Uh, today I was attacked by pirates and then I swam with the sharks for a bit, and then I was rescued by the navy twice.
And, um, those boys are yeah, they are they're something pretty special.
So, conditions are calm and I'm planning on being in Townsville by later this evening.
And please, please keep up your donations for the MH Foundation.
It really needs your support.
That's me for today.
Over and out.
She's raising money for the Mental Health Foundation - it's a legitimate cause.
She claims she's attacked by pirates.
She abandons ship in fear of her life, yet she still has time to strap on a shark shield? The crew seemed to buy it.
Yeah, but the crew aren't thinking with their heads.
What are you girls up to? Nothing.
Weather check.
Nothing.
Weather check.
How you doing, Spide? (Sighs) Dodgy squid.
They're gonna be fine.
Bit of rest is all they need now.
Were they poisoned? I'll have to I'm just an intern.
I've got a chef over there who's convinced he's almost killed his mates.
I'd like to put his mind at ease if I can.
It wasn't his cooking.
The poison found was consistent with a couple of recent deaths.
Your men are very lucky.
Was Sam Murray one of those deaths? I understand your anger, Mike My people have been put in danger by a command decision to cover up Bright Island.
There is no cover-up.
I've just been given the details myself.
This is politically sensitive.
OK.
OK.
Lisa Holmes and Sam Murray were both killed by the same toxin that poisoned my men.
Sam Murray also had a bullet in his head.
And, sir, Dr Morrell is missing.
Now, they're all pieces of the same puzzle - I'm convinced of that.
But what I don't know is how they fit together.
Mike, the official line on this is that it's an environmental issue, right? Is that clear? Environmental.
Yeah.
Can we move on? Yes, sir.
Now, thanks to your sitrep, the speedboat was apprehended this morning in the Arafura by the 'Kingston' Lieutenant Commander Curry caught the bandits? Yeah, fairly unscrupulous bunch by the sound of it, and I'd say the female sailor is very lucky.
Yeah, well, she's agreed to head to the nearest port, so we won't be seeing her again.
Sir, I Is everything OK? Do I look like a fool to you, X? Is that a rhetorical question, sir? I'm being fed a lot of garbage here.
I don't know whether to swallow it or spit it back up.
Whatever's best for the navy, I'd suggest.
The navy would have us believe that Bright Island is an environmental disaster - attack of the toxic crabs.
Sounds plausible.
It still doesn't explain why Ursula Morrell disappeared, does it? What's the connection with Ursula? Bright Island.
Perhaps Ursula just wanted a change of scenery.
It's been known to happen in relationships.
You know, Kate, people do break off relationships for more complicated reasons than just wanting a change of scenery.
Well, Dr Morrell is a big marine biologist who I'm sure can look after herself.
NAV: Fleet of FFVs stationary, bearing 320, range six miles.
Roger that, Nav.
Captain has the con.
Darken ship.
Isolate upper deck speakers.
Would you like to increase speed, sir? Negative.
Nice and slow.
We're just another illegal fishing vessel looking for a place to drop our long lines.
It's good to be back in the hunt, sir.
As opposed to being shot at by bandits or rescuing damsels in distress? Roger that, X.
NAV: Buff, I've got a series of floats painting on the radar.
Looks like their long lines are in the water.
Hands in the cookie jar.
Prepare hands for boarding, X.
Aye, sir.
Hands to boarding stations.
Hands to boarding stations.
I wish Buff was here.
He loves all this night-time insertion stuff.
Sir? Range to contact Roger.
Carry on the sea boat.
CO: Keep alongside me in the lead, X.
Don't want anyone getting any wetter than they have to.
Wait for my signal to insert.
Over.
Range to contact 1,000 yards.
With any luck, we'll be right on top of them before they even know we're there.
RO: Bridge, Comcen.
Sir, I'm picking up a mayday call.
Call sign Charlie Lima Sierra X-ray.
Caller's identifying herself as Clair Watts on 'Clair de Lune' What's the nature of the mayday, RO? She claims she's under attack by pirates, sir.
Roger.
RADIO: Mayday, mayday, mayday.
This is 'Clair de Lune', In position 10 degrees 'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship.
What is the nature of your emergency? Over.
Under attack.
Repeat - under attack.
Four men in a speedboat aggressively ciRCling my vessel.
RO, NAVCOM on the satphone now.
This is 'Hammersley' Stand by.
Is there another boat better positioned to render assistance? We're on top of the FFVs, about to board.
I'll have to check on that, sir.
I'll get back to you ASAP.
Mayday, mayday, mayday.
I'm being attacked by pirates.
Require immediate assistance.
Repeat, require immediate assistance.
Sir, she's 123 miles south-west of us.
We won't reach her before daylight.
RADIO: Charlie 2, this is X-ray 2.
We have the first FFV right ahead of us.
Awaiting insertion signal.
Over.
X-ray 2, this is Charlie 2.
Abort the boarding and return to me immediately.
I say again - abort, abort, abort.
Return to me.
Over.
MAN: What? We're right on This is X-ray 2.
Roger that.
Out.
What?! We're on top of them! OK.
Let's head home.
Why did we abort? Three guesses.
They all start with Clair and end in mayday.
You're not serious.
Mm-hm.
Where's the CO? In his cabin.
Clair Watts? She's crying wolf.
She has never been attacked by pirates, and even if she had been, those bandits have been taken off the water.
She is making false reports, she's seeking attention.
Or maybe publicity to help raise money for her cause - I don't know.
But her maydays are bogus - I would stake my career on it.
Finished? You know we can't ignore a mayday.
We have a duty of care to render assistance without prejudice.
I understand that, but to have the fleet right there with their long lines in the water, and to give that up for the girl who is playing with people's I What?! NAV: Captain, sir, officer of the watch.
Request you come to the bridge.
On my way.
Yes, Nav? This is the chart showing the position that Clair Watts radioed in.
Unsurveyed waters.
Outside the survey zones of confidence.
This was last surveyed by Cook and Flinders, boss.
We might as well go in blind for all the good this does us.
There's a fair amount of shallow water there.
We'll need the right tide, sun to be in the right position, so there's no glare on the water In just about any circumstances, sir, I would not recommend going in there.
There is a very strong risk we'd run the ship aground.
RO: Bridge, Comcen.
Sir, I just got a call from the RCC.
They just picked up Clair Watts's EPIRB.
I can't raise her on VHF.
Cable party closed up and anchor is ready for letting go.
The ship is in DC State 3 Condition Yankee.
Very good, Nav.
Echo sounder operator, report depth every half metre.
Roger that.
Depth nine metres steady.
All lookouts report the slightest discolouration in the water.
Depth 8.
5 metres.
Shoaling.
Contact! 'Clair de Lune' Range 6 nautical miles, bearing 180.
Starboard 10, steer 180.
Starboard 10, steer 180.
Depth 8 metres, shoaling slowly.
'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship, calling you on VHF channel 16 - over.
Coral bommie! Straight ahead.
About 100 yards! Port 30! Port 30! Very good.
Midships.
Midships.
Starboard 20, steer 180.
Starboard 20, steer 180.
Well done, Nav.
Coral bommie wasn't on the chart, sir.
Mark it.
It will be now.
XO: 'Clair de Lune' this is Australian Warship calling you on VHF channel 16 - over.
ET: Depth, 6.
5 metres, shoaling slowly.
Do you wanna take the con, sir? You're doing fine, Nav.
Take us in.
Sir, email just in from Lieutenant Smith at NAVCOM.
Call depth! Depth 6 metres.
Shoaling.
Depth 5.
5 metres.
Depth 5 metres, shoaling rapidly, ma'am.
Depth 5 metres.
I have Clair's yacht visual! Stop both engines.
Full astern both engines.
Stop both engines.
Full astern both engines.
Stand by to anchor! Stop both engines.
Let go.
Stop both engines.
Both engines stopped, ma'am.
Where the hell have you been?! Where were you?! I was beginning to think that no-one was coming! You're very lucky we did.
You'd drifted into unsurveyed waters.
I didn't drift! I was forced into the area by the pirates' speedboat.
These would be the same pirates who attacked you earlier? Yes! Why didn't you respond to our radio transmissions? I would have if I had a radio that worked! The pirates smashed all my communications and just about everything else on the boat! There was a bit of a mess.
Engine's been disabled.
Is this how the navy treats its civilian sailors now, is it? With suspicion and accusation.
Oh, I haven't accused you of anything yet, Clair.
You think that I destroyed my own boat?! I was attacked! I had Command run a search of your father.
He was RNIN'd - dishonourably discharged - six years ago.
We tracked him down to a psychiatric hospital in Perth.
He's still very much alive.
I thought we had an agreement.
I warned you to stay off the water, quit these false maydays, and yet you've deliberately tied up navy resources Leading Seaman Holiday, remain with Miss Watts.
Make sure she's comfortable.
Aye, sir.
XO: The VHF is ruined, GPS, radar detector all disabled.
Even the barometer's been smashed.
Over.
And the engine? Charge is looking at it now.
We found a scanner amongst her stuff with emergency frequencies programmed in, which explains how she acquired the information on the real bandits - over.
Engine's shot.
We'll have to wait till high tide to tow her off.
Thanks - uh, Charge says the engine is a no-go and recommends a tow at high tide - over.
Roger, X.
I'll send the RHIB for you.
Out.
You believe me, don't you? Do you want any water or food? I can go and get some from the galley.
I missed you.
Clair I should probably stand outside What? What? What?! What is wrong with me? Whoa! What - do you just think that because you're in the navy you've got some kind of moral superiority?! You don't! You don't! Calm down, Clair! My dad, he didn't do anything wrong.
He didn't do anything wrong.
Clair, no-one's saying anything about your father, OK? ET, is there a problem Clair.
Put the gun down.
(Cocks gun) Put the gun down, please, Clair.
Clair, look at me.
Look at me, Clair.
You're safe here.
My dad, he didn't do anything wrong.
No, he didn't.
He was a good man.
Yep.
He was a good man, Clair.
And a fine sailor.
Yeah.
And you're helping him.
You're helping him, Clair.
Sailing round Australia, raising funds for people like him.
Lots of people.
You're helping lots of people.
Yeah.
You're doing a great job.
Great job.
OK? You OK? I'm tired.
You're tired? Yeah, OK.
Come here.
You're safe here.
You OK, ET? Yep.
That's it, Clair.
Revenge on the navy for her old man's discharge.
I reckon she must have loved all the attention.
Definitely a loon.
I reckon they call it the rescue complex.
So, what - you're saying she needed to be rescued? The rescue complex refers to the one doing the rescuing.
You seemed pretty keen to want to rescue her.
I'm glad she didn't shoot you, though.
Well, you know, maybe 'glad's too strong a word.
The navy are saying it's environmental.
Something about toxic ground water.
World War II army base - fuel and sewerage contaminating the island.
The CO thinks there's more to it.
Is he right? Kate, what is it they say about loose lips? Nothing a good dose of collagen wouldn't fix? (Laughs) Ladies.
It's starting to look like the tide was running out.
(Laughs) Thank you.
Lieutenant Darryl Smith, Federal Agent Alicia Turnball.
Hello there.
How are you? Excuse me for a sec.
Wait a sec.
Hello, sailors.
How are you both feeling? Oh, much better, thank you, ma'am.
X, I am so hungry, I could eat the sleep out of a cow's eye.
Well, that's good, mate, 'cause I think Chefo just ordered for you.
That's right.
I've got crabs if you boys want 'em.
That's not what I meant.
That is l'm out of here.
(All laugh) You gonna join us? I'm having a drink with, uh (Laughs) Who would have thought? Sure.
Why not? Great.