Viking: northerly seven, occasionally gale eight
at first showers, good.
Waves toss him:
jetsam frantically
discarded, shipwreck,
a boat pulled down.
Tyne, Dogger: was four, becoming cyclonic seven
to severe gale nine, sleet then showers, good occasionally poor.
We cut a line. Fierce
walls of water slop
onto the deck,
eyes fixed ahead.
Lundy, Fastnet: west gale eight to storm ten,
veering northwest five to seven, moderate.
Salt stings eyes.
In that blink
he’s gone. Mouth
drier than air.
Irish Sea, Shannon, Rockall: cyclonic
severe gale nine to violent storm eleven, poor.
‘Eyes to starboard!’
the shout goes out.
All we see is savage
churning and spray.