Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #139 is a reply to message #138] |
Sun, 22 July 2012 19:14   |
artisticrainey
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"Our next story takes us to the frigid cold waters of the North Sea," Ned Cook said, his voice full of drama, as his salute to International Rescue continued. "It was in the midst of a ferocious storm that a crew of twelve local trawler fishermen found themselves in dire danger. One of our reporters on the scene at the time, Sara Troughbridge, picks up the story."
The camera shot changed to show a lovely young dark haired woman, seated in a studio with a backdrop picture of the North Sea and a gas rig behind her. "Ned, the last thing the crew of the Saucy Lady expected at the end of their fishing trip, was to be rescued by International Rescue. It was Monday, March 5th and the trawler and its tired crew were returning home after days away at sea. Life is hard for these men, but it became even harder when the fishing nets they were dragging became entangled with an unexploded World War Two mine. The mine's chains rendered the propeller useless and the boat was drifting perilously. Despite efforts from the crew, they were unable to free the mine themselves and had no choice but to send out a 'Mayday.' Captain James Bowers of the Saucy Lady recalls the events as they unfolded aboard his ship."
The angle of the camera changed as Sara turned towards the backdrop which now became an enlarged screen. The pre-recorded segment began to play. Captain Bowers, comfortable in his home being interviewed, began talking.
"In all my years as a sea captain I've never seen a storm hit so fast as that one did. Once we realized we were dragging a mine, it was no use. We became a dead duck. Aye, m' lads gave it their all tryin' to free the mine, but the sea was against us that day. We hadna choice but to huddle below decks and get tossed around."
The camera shot changed to a close up of Sara as she continued. "The World Navy naval base at Lossiemouth, Scotland picked up the distress call and launched the Excelsior, but by the time the rescue boat reached the trawler the situation had become worse. The Saucy Lady had drifted too close to one of the gas rigs, and if that wasn't bad enough, seven more mines were discovered between the two ships. Unable to assist the stricken trawler, the World Navy sent out a call to International Rescue. Meanwhile, as the brave trawler fisherman huddled below decks fearing impending doom, the 1st Mate, Ian Drummond became very concerned with the dangers of what's known as 'icing-up'."
She briefly explained to the viewers what this was and then a pre-recorded segment of Ian Drummond played. "Aye, the real danger of icing-up is that once it happens, the ship is lost. Those Dunlap pads weren't working and as I turned to return below to tell the Cap'n, I saw the rig and knew we were doomed. The worst feeling in the world came over me because I was th' one who had to go and tell the Captain that we dinna stand a chance." Ian paused and then continued, "But God love th' man, Captain Bowers swore t' us all we were not gonna die that day! Some of crew were injured and I remember Tommy was in a real bad way. When we slammed up against the rig, I though t' myself, 'We're done; it's over,' but we managed to remain on the surface and International Rescue somehow got their people on board. Ya ken imagine the shock when I saw two women!"
Ian chuckled at the memory. "They were part of the medical team and dinna waste no time gettin' t' work! They got Tommy up and loaded onto a stretcher and then a cage whisked him away. Amazing, absolutely amazing, those ladies were."
The screen once again returned to Sara in the studio who continued. "Suffering from severe injuries, Tommy Brennan, one of the youngest fisherman on board, was lifted to safety in record time, but his story doesn't end there. I asked Tommy what he remembers most about his rescue."
Tommy, his wife, Mary and their baby daughter, Charlotte, now appeared on the screen. "I was so afraid I was going to die that all I could think of was my wife and baby. I panicked and got myself smashed up bad. Jock, our medic of sorts, patched me up as best as he could, but I kinna remember a time of such pain as I was getting then. When those nurses from International Rescue appeared, I thought I was seeing angels from heaven. The doctor was so gentle; I can still see her soft smile and feel her soothing hands. They gave me a sedative and I was groggy but asked her if I was going t' die, and I'll never forget her telling me I wasn't and that everything was gonna be okay. I had to have emergency surgery then and there to save me and I will always owe them my life for that. They brought me back to m' wife and daughter."
He hugged his daughter and squeezed his wife's hand as she smiled softly at him.
"As you can see," said Sara, "the crew were well on their way to being safely rescued, but our story doesn't end there. We return now to the rest of our interview with Captain Bowers, who was about to encounter a personal close call."
"I remember thinking about these International Rescue folks, and wondering 'how do they do this kinda stuff all the time?' They freed that mine and saved the crew. Losing m' ship hurt, but those men are my family and they were all rescued safely. In all the chaos, I tried to thank one of the frogmen who'd helped us. The guy was a winner! He risked his life t' save us and we were total strangers. As I reached over to shake his hand, a rogue of a wave struck and knocked me clear overboard! I knew it was then that I was going to die. The waters are so cold that a man will perish within minutes. All I can remember from then on was freezing cold water and tugging and pulling and constant re-assurance from the International Rescue fella. He never quit on me. We finally managed to get aboard their undersea vessel and then I was transferred to the Excelsior and taken to hospital in Peterhead. I am completely healed from the effects of hypothermia and frostbite, and will never forget the brave men and women of International Rescue and what they do. God bless them."
The segment faded and the story closed with a snip of the newscast on the day of the rescue, "... the rescue has been successful. The Captain, who was washed overboard along with a member of the team, has been found and is being taken to the Excelsior. He will be helijetted to the naval base and transferred by ambulance to the hospital in Peterhead. All of the rescue team members are safe and accounted for. Once again, we owe our heartfelt thanks to International Rescue."
The screen returned to Ned Cook, who added, "I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you, Sara, for bringing us that story."
Back at his parents' house, Brandon sat watching the TV. Shannon lay sleeping on the living room sofa. Exhaustion had caught up with her while they watched the Ned Cook special together. The North Sea Rescue segment brought back memories and Brandon smiled as he watched the Captain Bowers interview. The warm fuzzies he felt faded quickly as his thoughts returned to his parents.
"All those rescues, and yet I still wasn't able to rescue you both." He sighed and settled back with his guilt.
Post by FrankieTB2 on 11/14/2006
  
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