Dialogue only short story competition - Runner Up

“This is Sunbow calling Penzance Coastguard. I repeat, this is Sunbow calling Penzance Coastguard. Are you receiving me? Over”
“What are they saying?”
“Shhh! Keep quiet a minute. It’s difficult to hear in this wind. I’ll try again. This is Sunbow calling Penzance Coastguard. Over. No ... nothing’s  happening. I tell you what … you take over here and I’ll check the side of the boat. You just press this button here and - “
“What! No, I … I can’t do that! You must be joking!”
“Well, it’s that or hang over the side of the boat checking out the damage. I can’t imagine you fancy doing that in this storm.”
“I would rather do that than mess up the radio. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes. You keep trying for the life guard.”
“This is Sunbow calling Penzance Coastguard. Come in please. We are a thirty-five foot yacht which is out of fuel and I think we might be taking in water. Our sails are down because of the gale force winds and we are drifting. Over.”
“Wow! The wind is even stronger out there now. I thought I was going to go over the side at one point”
“Tell me clipped yourself onto the bloody safety line!”
“Oops! I … I forgot. Look, I’ve never been out in a proper sailing boat before, and I know you said sailing was exciting, but this is a little bit too much -  “
“Yes, alright, fine! So, what’s the damage?”
“Well, it’s getting so dark out there that it’s difficult to see, but there’s a small hole sort of near the top. It doesn’t look much of a problem.”
“Is it above the water line?”
“If by that you mean where the boat floats, then probably yes, but it’s so rough out there that the ship is wobbling all over the place.”
“The word is ‘rolling’. Okay, use the bucket and scoop any water over the side. And Kelly, make sure you clip onto the safety line. Right, let’s try again … Sunbow calling Penzance Coastguard. Over.”
“This is Sea Breeze calling Sunbow. Hi, I just picked up your signal. Everything okay? Over.”
“Sea Breeze this is Sunbow. Yes, we’re okay. We were returning to port because this storm has appeared from nowhere and I tried to use the engine to get back in, but I’ve run out of fuel. Over.”
“Oh I say, bad luck. I’d offer to help but we’re just about to turn our boat into Mousehole harbour. I think we’re the only two boats mad enough to still be out in this weather! Look, I’ll contact the coastguard once we’re moored to let him know your situation. Over”
“Thanks so much. Over.”
“Whoo! Great to come in out of that wind. So, you’ve got hold of the life guard.”
“You  mean coastguard, and no actually, that was another boat, but he’s going to let the coastguard know as soon as he ties up.”
“Ooh great! When will that be?”
“From the way he was talking it didn’t sound as though he would be too long. Anyway, how is the deck looking?”
“Alright, but I think we should check the cellar or basement below. I saw this film once - “
“You mean the bilges, but I thought you said that the hole is above the water line?”
“Yes, it is, but the boat is rocking so much in these waves some sea water could still get in, couldn’t it?. In this film I saw - “
“Look, Kelly, I’ve got enough to deal with here on the radio without having to lift hatches open and the like.”
“Well, let me do it then. Which door lets us see the space below?”
“Erm … I’m not sure actually. I leave that to the guys who service the damned boat for me.”
“Well, in this film I saw - “
“Will you stop going on about that damned film!”
“Well that’s a bit mean. I’m only trying to help.”
“Sorry sweetheart ... what were you going to say?”
“Well ... in this film ... when they lifted the lid in the floor it was full of seawater, so they had to turn on this pump to suck out all the water … “
“Yeah, we could do that. Shit! It’s not working. We’ll have to use the manual pump. Fancy having a go? It’s just out there on the right. And Kelly … ”
“What?”
“I love you … and Kelly … please remember to hook up to the safety line,”
“I will ... and I love you too, Tom.”
“Right! Let’s try this radio again. I don’t know why I’m not getting through. This is Sunbow calling Penzance Coastguard. Over”
“Tom, the pump handle is really stiff. I think you need to have a go. Show me the buttons on the radio and I’ll try to call the lifeguards. In that film I saw they kept saying Mayday - “
“Yes, I’m  sure they did, because that’s nice and dramatic, but on my radio course we were told only to use Mayday when it’s a real emergency.”
“Well, sorry Tom ... but this is a real emergency, isn’t it? I just texted Mum while I was outside - “
“You phoned your mother! Why the hell did you do that? She’ll start sticking her nose in - “
“Well, that’s not very kind of you, if you don’t mind me saying. She is very worried, actually, and said that she would try and call the coastguard for us. In fact, why don’t you use your phone rather than this ship’s thing that isn’t even working?”
“In the normal scheme of things a ship’s VHF radio is much the best thing to use … and anyway, my phone’s got a flat battery. I forgot to charge it last night in all the excitement of travelling down here.“
“Well, it’s not better if the lifeguard isn’t picking up. Where’s that booklet you were showing me about all the radio channels locally? Let’s just have a read … ah, here it is … and here’s the channel you should be using. Is this the one you’re using? “
“Of course it bloody is! Look! Oh … I must have accidentally moved it after talking to that other boat. It’s his bloody fault! There … back on now.”
“And would you say Mayday please? I think that this is an emergency. Oh … look … there’s a bit of water coming through the floor - “
“How many times have I told you? It’s not a floor, it’s a deck.”
“Well, either way ... how about you go and use the pump and I’ll try the lifeguard. What is it? This button for send and this for receive? Okay … here I go. Mayday, Mayday, this is Sunbow and this is an emergency. There’s water on the floor. Can you hear me?”
“Sunbow, this is Penzanze Coastguard. What is your situation? Over”
“Oh, thank goodness! Well, we came out for a nice Sunday afternoon sail and this storm has blown uo out of nowhere, so Tom didn’t want to put the sails up … he never does … he says it’s much easier just using the engine …. but then we ran out of petrol, and it’s not like you can call the AA is it?
“No, Madam … quite. And why are you taking on water? Over”
“Oh yes, of course, you don’t know that bit. Well, I was looking over the side for dolphins and there was a huge piece of wood like a railway sleeper and it bumped into the side and made a little hole … not much of one really … but there’s a bit of water on the cabin floor now and - “
“And am I speaking to Miss Kelly Smarts and Mr Thomas Beech? Over”
“Oh wow! You’re right. How clever of you. How did you - ?”
“Your mother phoned us as well as the owner of Sea Breeze. so we already have our crew on standby. If you tell me your position our rescue vessel will be on its way to pick you up. Over”
“My position? In the boat?”
“The location of your boat, Madam. Over”
“Gosh, I’ve no idea. Hang on, I’ll ask Tom. Hey Tom? This lovely life guard is asking where we are. Any idea? Oh dear, he can’t hear me over this wind. He’s outside using the pump thingy. Tell you what … I’ve got your number here in this booklet ... and I’m pinging over my map location. Does that still work on water?
“Your GPS signal? Yes, that will still work. Until we arrive make sure that you keep as safe as possible. Are you both wearing life jackets? Over”
“Well yes I am, but actually Tom isn’t because he was in the cabin, and never wears one indoors.”
“And where is he now? Over”
“Well, he went outside to pump out some of this water -”
“Without a buoyancy aid? So he cannot harness himself to your safety line. Look, can you call him inside to put on his buoyancy aid. Our rescue vessel has just set off to pick you up. I suggest that you both wait on deck for the lifeboat. Both clip onto your safety line and ask Tom to send up a  flare. Looking at your location we should be with you in around twenty minutes. Over”
“Oh look, thanks ever so much. I’ll make sure I make a donation to the RNIB the next time I see you chaps out and about collecting.”
“That’s very kind, but a donation to the RNLI might be more useful. And also attending some sailing courses. This isn’t the first time we’ve had to come and pick up Mr Beech. Over”
“Well, I’m going to call him in right now. Hang on ... I think I just heard him yelling … Tom ... Tom … this nice man is telling you to come and put on your life jacket. Tom? Where are you? Tom?”