As they steered closer to the iceberg, the three friends realized this was a bigger problem than they thought. The iceberg was dangerous, and with the winds picking up, ice began flying towards their boat and faces. One wrong move and a chunk of ice could end their careers and even lives.
Suddenly they noticed the tiny, scared animal in distress. Would they risk getting this mysterious creature on board? Once they approached closer, they became startled. It turned out the animal was not what they thought it was...
The Three Musketeers
Cliff Russel, Allan Russel, and Mallory Harrigan were long-time friends that shared a unique passion. They loved to be on the water and go fishing! While they tried to get out as often as they could, eventually they decided to combine their savings and create a business.
The three friends bought a fishing boat and began taking out groups for weekly adventures. When they weren’t working they also went out just the three of them. One trip, in particular, would change the course of their friendship forever.
It Started Off An Average Day
It was a normal day embracing the calm of the waters. Cliff, Allan, and Mallory lived in Canada and were close to many great fishing spots. They tried to never get too confident in their skills. You never know when nature can turn against you, and sometimes quick thinking can save your life.
On this trip, they had just finished a busy week. They had brought out many groups to their popular fishing spots. They decided to dedicate a day of fishing just for themselves. The friends steered towards the unchartered territory and had no idea what awaited them off the coast.
A Difficult Task
Fishing is not an easy hobby or lifestyle. It involves early mornings and lots of manual labor. After an easy day, everyone’s muscles are sore and require rest. Today would test the friend’s limits and make them wish they had just stayed home.
A lot of people would not be able to run a business with their friends. Cliff, Allan, and Mallory had to learn the right balance of time and communication in order to not ruin their bonds. After this experience, the friends would never look at the open water in the same way.
A Positive Mindset
Each member of the team brought different strengths to the crew. Even though their days were long and they often came home covered in bruises, they wouldn’t change a thing. On this fishing journey, they encountered a new experience none of them had witnessed before.
While the open water can be dangerous, it can also be a place where friendships turn into family bonds. While Cliff, Allan, and Mallory sailed into the unknown, they had no idea what was waiting for them on a nearby iceberg.
Crab Season
Freshwater fish came in different seasons due to migration. On the day of this adventure, the team was busy doing a normal crab fishing expedition. Everyone was in good moods and they had already caught a big catch!
In order to get on the water, Cliff, Allan, and Mallory were used to getting up early. Today, Mallory was awake even earlier than usual. She was bubbling with excitement and couldn’t help but start preparing the boat. There was one important detail Mallory had overlooked which she would forever regret.
It’s Time To Set Sail
Cliff and Allan were surprised to find Mallory on the boat and all their gear ready to go. Mallory’s good mood was contagious and the group quickly went through their daily checklist. Everyone was in high spirits and anxious to set sail on a new day.
The daily checklist had everything they needed for a successful and safe adventure. Even just forgetting one item could have massive repercussions. The team did not want to risk it and double-checked the list before pulling up their anchor. The problem was right in front of their face if they had just taken one extra second before setting sail.
With Friends Like These - Who Needs Employees?
Even though Cliff, Allan, and Mallory spent almost every day together. They never ran out of things to talk about. They loved being on the boat with no customers because it gave them a chance to be silly and make new jokes.
The friends had known each other for years and had no secrets from each other. While the air was crisp and their smiles bright, would they stay in good moods after this experience? How much do you really know about a person until they are faced with a difficult decision?
A Hidden Gem
The spot they wanted to go fishing at was a hidden gem and always gave them great results. As the boat chugged along, they laughed at antics and memories and didn’t have a care in the world.
After crossing several miles they began to see their destination ahead. Mallory began to squint into the distance. She rubbed her eyes and couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She yelled out for Cliff and Allan to come quick. The team had just stumbled upon a remarkable discovery.
Crab Buckets
The way to catch crab means that the fishing team must anchor and drop multiple crab buckets into the water. After a certain amount of time, they will pull them back onto the boat and check the results.
The special spot that Cliff, Allan, and Mallory liked also had a big shrimp population. The fishing team didn’t keep much shrimp and waited a couple of hours before finally catching crab. While they were waiting around on the boat, they loved being in each other’s company. The three friends had no idea what disaster was around the corner.
A Record-Breaking Season
This year had been especially successful for the small fishing team. They were hoping for one last big catch to finish strong and were prepared to be out on the boat all day. The process of fishing can be therapeutic. It takes you out of your regular routine and forces you to pause and reflect.
Cliff, Allan, and Mallory were aware of how lucky they were. Not many people had a chance to pursue their passions and spend hours doing things they loved. They were sharing a comfortable silence on the boat when something in the distance caught Mallory’s eye. Would the boys be interested in moving the boat to investigate further?
Steering Off Course
An important safety tip for all fishing teams was to stay on a chartered course. These coordinates were sent to the coast guard before every trip. If a boat didn’t return, this would be the first place a rescue team would look.
Mallory was trying to convince the guys to go off course and investigate something in the distance. It felt incredibly risky and the team was at an impasse on how to proceed. They had never had such a clear disagreement, and the results would have lasting consequences.
The Best Day Of The Year
The last time the three friends had pulled up their crab buckets, their eyes had nearly jumped out of their heads! They couldn’t believe how many crabs they had caught! The day was turning into a massive success!
While everyone started off in high spirits, this big catch also made them excited for their payday. Everyone had families to take care of, and the life of a fisherman does not mean consistent paydays. The team threw the buckets back in the water when Mallory spotted something strange in the distance.
Beautiful Scenery Coast To Coast
On the boat, the fishing team saw many icebergs. They never stopped appreciating the beauty and danger of the big structures. Mallory could see in the distance that there was a lot of activity happening around one particular iceberg.
She wanted the boys to move the boat further out to check out what was happening. From where they were, it was clear that the birds were circling something, but they couldn’t see what. Cliff and Allan had a good reason for wanting to stay put, but would they cave out of curiosity?
A Convincing Argument
Mallory told the boys that the birds could be indicating a big catch. The birds might be trying to dive into the water and catch fish for their next meal. If they moved their boat further out they could also reap the rewards.
Cliff and Allan relented and the team pulled up their crab buckets. They had once again caught many crabs and could even go home now if they wanted. Mallory told them she had a good feeling about what lay further out. These words would haunt her for a long time to come….
Steer Clear For Safety
The crew decided to head further out. The water was becoming more dangerous and they had to be extremely careful maneuvering around icebergs. Icebergs come in many different shapes and are not always what they seem.
Even if they aren’t taking up a lot of space above the water, they can cause fatal accidents for inexperienced fishermen. While Mallory was looking ahead, Allan was carefully steering the boat. Something out of the corner of his eye made him instantly do a double-take.
How Close Could They Get?
Allan alerted Cliff and Mallory to check out this iceberg coming up on the side of the boat. The sun was especially bright on this day but Allan swore something was a little off with the giant ice sculpture.
The sun can play tricks on anyone and in some cases create shadows that can distract a captain from danger. This iceberg stood out to Allan, but he was convinced there was something on it. Without realizing it, he began to steer the boat right into a trap.
It Was Right In front Of Their Face
Allan was trying to steer the boat as close as possible. He needed to know what this strange shadow and object were. From his vantage point at the steering wheel, he couldn’t get a clear view. He asked Mallory and Cliff to go closer.
His two best friends trusted his driving skills and went down the edge of the boat. They were parallel to the iceberg and Mallory let out a scream when she realized what she was looking at!
A Seal In Distress
Mallory believed she could see a seal stuck on top of the iceberg. She yelled for Allan to get closer but Cliff told him to wait. The boat was dangerously close to the iceberg already and Cliff really wasn’t sure what the object was.
This particular iceberg had an hourglass shape. It had melted in the middle and if there was a seal stuck on top it was in big danger. Allan had to make a decision quickly. Could he get the boat closer to investigate or should he steer his friends away from impending danger?
Slippery Seals
If it was a seal then the team didn’t need to worry. The clever animal would swim to safety when it was ready. Something in Allan’s gut told him this was not a regular occurrence. He took a deep breath and steered the boat closer.
Cliff knew they needed a closer look. He didn’t want to risk the crew’s safety by getting too close to the iceberg and grabbed a handy pair of binoculars. When he had the lens focused on the space, he loudly gasped and handed the pair to Mallory for a second look!
What Were They Looking At?
When Cliff starred through the binoculars he realized it wasn’t a seal, but still couldn’t make out what the shadows were. He handed the pair to Mallory hoping she could see it better but she was also confused. Allan had one concern and that was to rescue the stranded animal.
He anchored the boat a safe distance from the iceberg and the three friends had a brief discussion. It was starting to get late and the temperature was rapidly dropping. This adventure was dangerous and cut into their profit. Would the group reach a unanimous decision?
A Plan Was Paramount
Due to the changing weather conditions, the friends knew no matter what happened they needed a plan. If they were going to investigate the iceberg then they needed a good way to approach it without putting their lives in jeopardy.
Allan was the most experienced navigator and promised he would get them as close as possible with minimal risks. That would leave Cliff and Mallory to rescue the stranded animal. No-one stopped to wonder, what would happen if the animal didn’t want to be rescued...
They Put It Into Motion
The three friends put their plan into action. They were going for a closer look and against all odds were going to rescue whatever was stuck on the top of the iceberg. It was a slow journey while Allan navigated the icy waters.
A single chunk from an iceberg could damage the boat and end more than just their careers. As they got closer Mallory kept the binoculars to her eyes. She began to realize a couple of facts about the animal, and yelled to Allan they had to hurry!
What Did Mallory See?
Through the binoculars, Mallory could tell this wasn’t a seal. She still didn’t know what the animal was but could tell it was completely soaked and shivering. If the fur was damp and sticking to the iceberg then this animal was in serious danger!
The team took a moment and called into the coast guard. If they were going to do this rescue mission they were going to require backup. The water was beginning to get choppy and the boat wasn’t staying on course. The safe option was turning back but the three friends were ready to stare danger in the face.
Nature Would Not Make This Easy
As the winds picked up chunks of ice were dropping off the iceberg and landing close to the boat. On top of falling ice, the iceberg was also drifting further from the crew. They anchored a safe distance away but didn’t know if they should get closer or wait for the backup to arrive.
Now that Mallory knew an animal was in danger she was eager to help. She corralled Cliff and Allan into a dangerous decision. They had to get closer. All three friends were only focused on one thing.
The Sun Was Setting
Daylight was crucial for the friends’ safety. As they watched the sunset in the distance, they knew they were taking a big gamble. From the boat, Mallory could see the scared animal pacing the top of the iceberg and she pushed the boys to get closer.
How far were they willing to go for this animal? They still didn’t know what they were rescuing and every minute that passed put the fishermen in more jeopardy. This was proving to be an unforgettable adventure, but would it be their last?
They Began To Take Guesses
The closer the boat got, the more the image through the binoculars became. Mallory thought she could see four legs and wondered how a dog had gotten this far out in the middle of the ocean? Cliff thought it was impossible, but today was proving that you never knew what would happen on open waters.
The closer they got, Allan could tell more about the size of the iceberg. It was massive under the water even if it didn’t look like it above the surface. He needed to find a clear path that wouldn’t damage the boat. Everyone was focused on rescuing this animal, but would they turn into the ocean next victims?
The Last Thing They Expected
Finally, the crew could get a good look at the animal through their equipment. All of them were stunned. It made no sense but the animal on top of the iceberg was an arctic fox! How had this creature gotten out here and how long had it been stranded on this iceberg.
Now that they realized what they were attempting to rescue, they were even more motivated to put their plan into action. This poor fox was scared and shivering but these three friends were about to save its life.
A Waiting Game
When the three friends succeeded in getting their boat next to the iceberg. They got the foxes’ attention. It wasn’t safe for them to get on the iceberg. They needed the fox to come to them. They began to call it and even threw some fish as a treat.
The fox was clearly scared and weak but it still didn’t move towards the boat. The three friends didn’t have much time but they would have to wait for the fox to get comfortable. Was there anything they could do to speed the process along?
Inch By Inch
Slowly the fox realized the boat was a way off the iceberg. It began to come closer and then was within reach of Cliff. He could tell the fox was tired and weak, but would it attack him? The only option was to physically grab the fox. It was too weak to jump onto the boat. What could Cliff do to ensure his own safety?
He quickly found a pole and went to scoop the fox into the boat. The animal got scared and instead of falling into the boat, panicked and jumped into the water. Mallory gasped and realized that they had just made the situation ten times worse.
When Would It Tire Out?
The crew backed the boat away and watched to see where the fox would swim too. His fur was already frozen from the outdoor conditions and he was barely able to keep his head above water. They came up beside the fox and using their fishing equipment scooped it out into safety.
The fox was terrified. It had never been on a boat like this and even though it tried to escape it was clearly suffering from being on the iceberg. The three friends didn’t feel relieved yet. They had to get the fox to safety before they could breathe a sigh of relief.
Creating a Safe Haven
Mallory moved into the steering position as the crew headed back to shore. The boys recognized the wolf would not let them put towels on it, so they decided on the next best situation. Using sawdust, towels, and a crate they made a nest-like environment for the fox to curl into.
This would give the animal a chance to get warm and also realize it was not in danger. Allan was the only one the fox allowed near him, and he picked up the tiny creature to put him into his new home. The friends held their breath as the fox inspected its new environment. Would it be enough to save its life?
A Race Against Time
Cliff, Allan, and Mallory knew nothing about foxes. It was important they got back to land and got this fox to see a vet immediately. While Mallory steered, Allan watched the fox burrow under the sawdust and fall asleep.
He could tell the little guy was relieved to feel warm and he hoped it was the beginning of the recovery. The ship was making good time getting back to land but would it be enough to save their new furry friend?
Ocean Turbulence
As they drove the boat quickly home the small fox became terrified with every bump or crash of the wave. Mallory’s heart broke watching it shiver in the box and thought that maybe feeding it would help. She wasn’t sure what Arctic foxes ate but quickly ran below deck to see what they had.
The team had small sausages they had packed for the day and Mallory went to work on making a meal for their small furry friend. She soaked the sausages in water first to soften the meat and then ran them back upstairs. Would this meal give the fox the strength it needed to make it to shore?
Sweet Gratitude
The fox excitedly ate the sausages and fell back asleep in its makeshift bed. When the boat docked the crew decided to release the animal somewhere safe. Mallory had the perfect place in mind but knew the crew should wait until the fox rested a little bit longer.
About 10 minutes from the dock was an abandoned dog house. It was a quiet area where predators wouldn’t bother the fox and the crew could continue to check up on it. They made it welcoming for the small animal and then watched in anticipation as it checked out the new surroundings.
A Happy Ending
The fishermen’s crew stuck around and watched the fox check out their new home. It seemed extremely grateful and they walked away with smiles on their faces. They had come close to sacrificing their own lives to save that of another, but they would do it all again if they had to.
As the months passed the fishermen continued to check on their furry friend. They occasionally brought in more Vienna sausages as a treat and the fox lived a long and healthy life. It was an incredible act of bravery that gave this Arctic fox a chance of survival.