On Patrol: Pt. 17 – Castaways and Fish Traps

Bridge Watch
We continue at flank speed. Then the operations center orders us to break off our escort. Slowly we pull ahead of the Haydock and come to fifty degrees. At seventeen past one in the morning, orders are given for action stations to stand down, and those who are not part of the normal bridge watch fall out. I do, too, to get some badly needed sleep.
Captain Ng on the bridge
Castaway
The next morning finds us idling through light chop seven miles northeast of Horsburgh Light. Breakfast is tomatoes, cucumbers, and egg salad on toast, and I gobble down my portion. After breakfast I begin talking to Captain Ng Ho Kwang, a studious-looking young officer temporarily attached to the Unity. In the Singapore navy, the captain rank is equivalent to that of the U.S. Navy lieutenant (a major is equivalent to lieutenant commander). I ask Captain Ng to pronounce his last name. It comes out like “now” spoken with the mouth closed. I try it, rather unsuccessfully. We begin talking about the movie Castaway starring Tom Hanks. It seems to me that most people watching that movie ask themselves what they would have done in similar circumstances, marooned on a tiny tropical island with almost nothing but what the island and the sea can provide. We agree that there was a lot of interesting stuff in the film. I ask what he would have done in the Hanks character’s place.
“Um, I probably will not be so bold enough to make the raft and just travel out, not knowing where it leads me to, yeah. But of course every risk is a chance. But probably I will not do that,” he laughs. “But, uh, definitely I will set up my own shelter, my base in that island. A cozy place for me to stay in.”
“What would you do to increase your chances of getting food?”
Foraging
‘Well, I don’t seem to remember there are animals on the island, but what they do have is definitely fish, big vegetables, and a forested area. These are all very good, uh, resources. With all the luggage [the Fed Ex parcels that wash up after the plane crash], which is a means of resources, then I will pick out whatever I can use to make water from. From rainwater, from seawater, by evaporating means like condensation, whatever I can think of. Like the recycling of resources and, uh, fish will be a very good means of survival in the island.”
“Hanks didn’t have any fishing rod. What would you do to try and get fish?”
“Improvise, improvise. Just like in Singapore, there’s a lot of kelongs (fish traps). They pound sticks into the sea base.”
“Right, to form fish traps.”
“Fish traps, very big fish traps, luring all the fish into this area.”
“Then the tide goes down.”
“Yes, and they will trap the fish inside. With observation and references to the tidal condition and, uh, movement of the fish, that probably will give me a constant supply of food.”
“I’m surprised they didn’t think of that in the movie,” I add. “All they would have to do is use rocks or pieces of coral.”
“Well, I guess it’s more the culture and background that we are brought up in. Probably in the Southeast Asia countries, that is what we’re going to use. It is more sure than to take one stick and pierce it through fish. I say that’s quite difficult!”
We both laugh, and Captain Ng excuses himself to return to his duty station.
More from “On Patrol”
On Patrol: Pt. 18 – Safety and Plenty
Since merchant sailors go unarmed, with the exception of Russian and Israeli crews, there is little risk for the pirates.
On Patrol: Pt. 16 – Cover the Flanks
Since merchant sailors go unarmed, with the exception of Russian and Israeli crews, there is little risk for the pirates.
On Patrol: Pt. 15 – Armed Pirates
In the background are snatches of radio transmissions, some from central control, others from different ships. Everything seems garbled.
On Patrol: Pt. 14 – Explosive Escort
In the background are snatches of radio transmissions, some from central control, others from different ships. Everything seems garbled.
On Patrol: Pt. 13 – Comm Checks and Storm Prep
In the background are snatches of radio transmissions, some from central control, others from different ships. Everything seems garbled.
On Patrol: Pt. 12 – Night on the Equator
An hour later, dinner is served to seven of us in the officers’ mess. The mee soto, noodles and vegetables in a spicy chicken broth, is great.
On Patrol: Pt. 11 – Mess Hall
Back on the bridge. It is 1600, four in the afternoon, and a change of watch takes place. Those on duty brief their relief with pertinent information.
On Patrol: Pt. 10 – Endurance, Tolerance, Patience
“What about your father? Is he alive?” “Yeah, he’s around. My dad, until now, still can’t believe what I’m doing. He’s too shocked.”
On Patrol: Pt. 9 – Machine Guns
Hodgepodge Kenis and Sprig leave to go back to work. Kenis appears to be mature and very responsible. Later, I see her manning one of the machine guns on the bridge wing. Spring’s duty station is at the radar repeater on the bridge, where she continually examines and...
On Patrol: Pt. 8 – The Alarm
Engine Room We are barely moving through the water and suddenly an alarm goes off on the bridge. Major Wong speaks with Sergeant Koh, the chief engineer, explains that enough bypass gas and some from hot, oily surfaces have collected to set off an engine room alarm....