A snicker from Peter made Joey turn. He straightened his face immediately.
“I don’t know how things worked in your last crew, Peter, but we value teamwork above anything here.”
Peter nodded quickly. “Sorry.” He busied himself at his post and Tomás quickly returned, buckling himself into his life jacket.
They launched without further drama and got quickly into the drill. Once on the water, Tomás relaxed into his role and Peter calmed down in his effort to impress. Aoife relayed the staged information from the Coast Guard, and they moved toward the coordinates supplied. A small sailing boat soon came into view, apparently unoccupied and drifting. Joey knew Kasia and a Coast Guard officer were on board, but their crew only knew the information they’d been given.
As Joey maneuvered them closer, Peter leaned toward the craft. “One casualty on deck.”
Joey positioned the inshore lifeboat close alongside the yacht so they could tie up before assessing the situation. But before Aoife had a chance to relay any information to the Coast Guard, Peter had jumped the gap and landed on the deck of the yacht.
“Peter, get back on board while we assess,” they roared across engine noise and wind.
Peter didn’t even turn as he ran to crouch by the casualty being played by Kasia. Joey saw her sit up but couldn’t hear what was said. Peter hesitated, then stood, looking between the two craft. Joey waved him back and he ran.
Tomás had used the time to tether the two boats together and Peter jumped back on board.
Joey took a long breath before they spoke, which stopped the words coming out as a scream. “What do we do when we approach a craft with casualties, Peter?”
Peter looked around at the other crew members, but Aoife’s face was creased in a scowl Joey suspected was similar to their own. And Tomás kept his eyes on Joey, awaiting orders.
“Assess the situation, report back to the station and the Coast Guard, and then decide on our approach.”
“Correct. What can you see?”
“One casualty on deck. Not responding to calls.”
Aoife reported that back on the radio.
“Tomás, are we tied up securely?”
“Yes, skipper.”
Joey cut the engine on the lifeboat. “Peter, go on board, assess the casualty, and report back before you check the rest of the vessel.”
Peter nodded and crossed between the two vessels quickly, but in a less breakneck fashion. He crouched back down next to Kasia, and Joey watched as he did all the correct checks.
He hurried back. “Casualty is breathing, pulse normal, but unresponsive.”
Joey nodded and he turned back to check the small cabin. Aoife relayed the information and requested a Coast Guard helicopter for evacuation.
Peter’s head appeared from the cabin hatch. “Second casualty below. Also unresponsive. No injuries visible.”
Joey stepped onto the deck. “Stay with that casualty. Coast Guard are en route.”
They dropped to one knee by Kasia and took her wrist to check her pulse.
“What was that new guy thinking?” Kasia kept her voice low.
“I don’t know, but whatever you said to him seems to have worked.”
“You don’t want to know what I said to him.”
“Coast Guard Rescue 118 en route. ETA seven minutes.” Aoife’s voice carried over the waves slapping against the side of the boat.
Joey nodded acknowledgment and took off their safety helmet for a few minutes. It was a warm day, and the calm conditions meant they weren’t as wet as they often got on an exercise.
Kasia lifted her head and flexed her neck. “What’s wrong with us, anyway? Why am I unconscious? Brian didn’t seem to know, either.”
