Original Nine Airdate: 2nd August 2007
The chase to apprehend an illegal shark fin fishing boat is fraught with frustration and danger for the Crew of the Hammersley.
The Hammersley takes control of an FFV (Foreign Fishing Vessel) and its illegal cargo of shark fins but it’s really the mother ship that Mike is after. Returning to base, Mike is tasked to pick up a passenger from Bright Island on the way. Kate and Nikki, annoyed that a Navy boat is to be treated like a taxi surmise the passenger to be a Federal Agent. Not so and Kate is surprised to see Mike personally greet the attractive Doctor Ursula Morrell on the beach.
Later that evening Mike and Ursula share an intimate moment on deck. Mike is concerned when Ursula confesses she may have made a dangerous mistake. She seems apprehensive, even afraid of something but will not give Mike any details. Their intimate moment is interrupted by Kate who is gutted to find them together.
Back at base, Mike is told that another patrol boat, the Kingston has its eye on the prize of the shark fin mother ship and the climate of competition heats up. The pursuit is picked up and Nikki pinpoints their quarry. Mike decides to assume a disguise to enable the Hammersley to get close to the mother ship before boarding but imminent capture is thwarted by the appearance of a rogue RHIB belonging to an eco militant group. They have planted a propeller entrapment device on the mother ship but then the crew opens fire injuring one eco militant and forcing the other overboard.
Mike is now forced to rescue them and finds their rescued militant not only ungrateful but furious that the Navy has interfered with his plan. The mother ship however has been disabled and is sinking forcing Mike to bring the crew on board. The captain is distraught with worry that because of his capture his bosses will injure his family at home. He attacks the eco militant, Kate intervenes and gets injured.
Mike, disgusted by the attitude and methods of the eco militants hatches a devious and unorthodox plan. Dressing as foreign fishermen, Kate and a boarding crew return to the mother ship and surprise the militants when they return to finish the job of scuttling the foreign ship.
Once the mother ship crew and militants are delivered to the appropriate officials at base, Mike reports to Marshall at Nacom who despite being pleased with the mission’s positive outcome gives Mike a dressing down for his methods.
Later, Mike goes looking for Ursula, but a new tenant has moved into her flat. He tries her mobile but gets the message bank. Has she disappeared? Mike becomes concerned that Ursula may be in danger.
