Captain Jake Anderson faces a critical issue on the Saga. While navigating through False Pass, the boat starts vibrating, and the alarm in the engine room goes off.
“Damn it, on the Saga,” Jake mutters, heading to the engine room to investigate. Upon checking the gearbox, he finds that the gears in the starboard transmission are frozen, which makes it impossible for the engine to transfer power to the prop.
With limited power, Jake is racing against time, knowing he has three full tanks and $1.5 million worth of crab on board. The situation is tense as he needs to navigate through False Pass, a perilous shortcut filled with strong currents and shallow waters. If Jake strays from the buoy-marked route, the boat could run aground, threatening both the crew and the precious cargo.
As Jake eyes his fathometer to keep an eye on the depth, he knows that getting sand into the tanks could suffocate the crabs, a risk he can’t afford. The crew is on edge, and every move counts as Jake carefully maneuvers the boat through the tricky waters.
With only one engine and a weakened ability to steer, the situation becomes even more dire. The boat isn’t turning fast enough, and Jake fights against the current. “It’s not turning. It’s not turning,” he exclaims, the boat drifting dangerously close to the shallow areas. The crew scrambles to turn off the circulation pumps to protect the crabs.
Jake pushes forward, full steam ahead, trying to regain control. With a few tense moments, the Saga successfully navigates through the pass, avoiding disaster. “That was not fun for me,” Jake admits, still shaken but relieved. “I think we can kick those pumps back on,” he adds, proud of the team’s efforts.
It was Jake’s first time navigating through False Pass with such valuable cargo, and despite the challenges, he’s proud of the successful, high-stakes maneuver.
