Chapter 5 Summary

Most sword fishermen undergo a certain amount of denial about the dangers of their profession. They ignore weather reports, overload their ships, unplug emergency radios, stow life rafts in the wheelhouse of the boat and otherwise indulge in unsafe practices. Billy Tyne is no exception. Although, once a storm hits a boat at sea, the crew immediately begins to close every hatch, porthole and watertight door on board. They take everything off the deck and lash down things that could break loose.

On board the Andrea Gail, Billy Tyne is in charge of the engine room. He is the one who checks everything before a storm hits. He reads the weather faxes that say,: "Hurricane Grace is moving in and will develop into a dangerous storm. Winds 50 to 65 KTS and sees up to 32 feet." Before the hurricane hits, they will feel a "backing...