Sattahip, Thailand
A
fter a short shakedown trip from the Navy Base to a private jetty near the Botany Beach resort, the junk crew was checking gear and making all preparations for going to sea. The plan was to shove off into the Gulf of Thailand before first light in the morning if all proved shipshape and seaworthy. So far, it looked very good—better than Shake expected, and the two Thai sailors had shown themselves to be very efficient at working the vessel.
As Mike Stokey disengaged the propeller shaft and eased the throttle forward, the engine at the rear of the newly purchased junk roared to life. It sent powerful vibrations through the wooden decking under his feet. There was a lot of power in that engine, which was a very good thing as far as Mike was concerned. He glanced forwa
