[9] In the present day Gulf of Thailand, novice sea captain Konrad (Jack Laskey) tries to master a Chinese cargo ship and its resentful crew, who suspect he has orders from his boss to scuttle the vessel as part of an insurance scam.

The next morning a search party arrives from the other ship, along with Konrad's crew, looking for a woman they claim to be a murderer.

Over the remainder of the journey, he shares his food, thoughts, clothes and cabin with his stowaway, keeping her presence on board the ship a secret from his crew, who would use any excuse to strip him of his captaincy.

Konrad sets a course that avoids Chinese territorial waters and puzzles over how to help Li escape to freedom and start a new life.

As the journey progresses and romance grows within the captain's cabin, Konrad begins to win the respect of his crew under Li's guidance.