temperature rose abruptly. Then he dismissed the thought and
concentrated on the exchanges between Christy Marine and La Mouette.
The two parties had diametrically changed their bargaining standpoints.
While Golden Adventurer was adrift on the open sea, and any salvage
efforts would mean that the tug should merely put a rocket-line across
her, pass a messenger wire to carry the big steel hawser and then take
her in tow, Jules Levoisin had pressed for Lloyd's Open Form 'No cure no
pay contract.
Since the cure was almost certain, pay would follow as a matter of
course. The amount of payment would be fixed by the arbitration of the
committee of Lloyd's in London under the principles of international
maritime law, and would be a percentage of the salved value of the
vessel. The percentage decided upon by the arbitrator would depend upon
the difficulties and dangers that the salvor had overcome. A clever
salvor in an arbitration court could paint a picture of such daring and
ingenuity that the award would be in millions of dollars.
Christy Marine had been desperately trying to avoid a No cure no pay
contract. They had been trying to wheedle I Levoisin into a daily hire
and bonus contract, since this would limit the total cost of the
operation, but they had been met by a Gallic acquisitiveness - right up
to the moment when it became clear that Golden Adventurer had gone
aground.
When that happened, the roles were completely reversed. Jules Levoisin,
with a note of panic in his transmission, had immediately withdrawn his
offer to go Lloyd's Open Form. For now the cure was far from certain,
and the Adventurer might already be a total wreck, beaten to death on
the rocks of Cape Alarm, in which case there would be no pay'.
Now Levoisin was desperately eager to strike a daily hire contract,
including the ran from South America and the ferrying of survivors back
to civilization. He was offering his services at $10,000 a day, plus a
bonus Of 21/2% of any Salved value of the vessel. They were fair terms,
for Jules Levoisin had given up the shining dream of millions and he had
returned to reality.
However, Christy Marine, who had previously been offering a princely sum
for daily hire, had just as rapidly with drawn that offer.
We will accept Lloyd's Open Form, including ferrying of survivors/ they
declared on Channel 16.
Conditions on site have changed/ Jules Levoisin sent back, and the Trog
got another good fix on him.
We are head-reaching on him handsomely/ he Announced with satisfaction,
blinking his pink eyes rapidly while Nick marked the new relative
positions on the chart.
The bridge of Warlock was once again crowded with every officer who had
an excuse to be there. They were all in their working thick blue boiler
suits and heavy sea boots, bulked up with jerseys and balaclava helmets,
and they watched the plot with total fascination, arguing quietly among
themselves.
David Allen came in carrying a bundle of clothing. I've working rig for
you, sir. I borrowed it from the Chief Engineer. You are about the
same size. Does the Chief know? Nick asked.
