Sudden blinding beams of blue and red light pierced the fog as a second boat thundered toward the scene. Heavy engines roared across the calm water as a massive Coast Guard vessel arrived, spotlighting both boats. Panicking, the poachers abandoned Robert on deck and leaped back onto their own craft to escape into the dark.
Their captain slammed the throttle forward. The high-horsepower engine roared to life, but the boat spun helplessly in circles, completely unable to steer or gain forward momentum due to the severed hydraulic line.
Within seconds, armed Coast Guard officers boarded the immobilized poacher vessel, forcing the poachers to their knees. Mike finally surfaced alongside his boat, gasping for air as Robert rushed to the gunwale to haul his exhausted friend out of the water.