The Third Officer: A Present-day Pirate Story

Alwyn Burgoyne has swapped a Royal Navy uniform for the hard‑won badge of a merchant‑marine third officer. On the tramp steamer S.S. Donibristle, he wrestles with cramped holds, coal‑dust and the lingering chill of a northern voyage, all while trying to prove himself after a sudden promotion caused by a mysterious disappearance. The ship’s route from Vancouver to Shanghai promises routine cargo work, yet the shadow of the missing officer looms over every deckhand’s chatter.

As the Donibristle sets out across the Pacific, Burgoyne discovers that the world of commercial shipping hides its own dangers—storm‑tossed seas, rival crews, and rumors of modern pirates lurking among the reefs. With his navigation skills and a crew of colorful characters, he must keep the vessel steady while the clues about the vanished colleague begin to surface. The opening chapters set a tense, adventure‑filled tone that hints at a high‑seas mystery waiting to unfold.