|
THE TALE OF THE MUCKY DUCKS
The Darker Side Of The World At Sea
Based
on the real life exploits of 'The Sea Eagle' better known
simply as 'The Mucky Ducks'.
| On
average,
every day of the year a ship over 3000 GRT either
is sunk or disappears without trace. Although
many of these events are accidents or weather
related, many more have a human hand involved.
Set into the background of the South Pacific and
Asia; the Sea Eagles or 'The Mucky Ducks' as they
preferred to be called, was a small organisation
that initially earned its money by investigating
the suspicious demise of some vessels and trying
to prevent the deliberate destruction of others.
However over a period of time their work grew
to include many other aspects of the dark side
of the world at sea. This included arms and people
smuggling, drug trafficking and insurance fraud.
In later years they met their biggest challenge
as Modern Pirates grew to be a global menace.
|
My
friend Harry Drake was the leader of a group officially
known as the 'Sea Eagles' but more affectionately
known as "The Mucky Ducks" who combated
pirates mainly in SE Asia.. Harry" goes by this
nom de plume as some may see what this group did as
exceedingly illegal; I see it as 'justice'. All the
original Ducks" are now dead except for Harry
who is in very poor health. I have known him for years,
not only is this website very interesting and informative,
but he is a living legend in SE Asia. I know this
book to be true from personal knowledge back in the
early 70's. I never expected to end up talking to
and becoming friends with the leader of this team
in the late 1990's.
Jim Bragg. Fmr US
Navy Intelligence Guam |
"...
and happiness only ever borrowed - never owned"
Harry Drake
Many
of The Mucky Ducks
fell during the performance of their assignments mainly
those against modern pirates. Others were left both
physically and mentally scarred. Humour and the music
of the time were their weapons against the reality
of their work but even here, the laughter and music
slowly failed them, fading into an almost forgotten
past, leaving nothing but a hard day to day existence.
Although
this is a story telling of action and adventure,
one review also stated that it was a love story
to rival 'Dr Zhivago' and like that tale doesn't
end with "And they lived happily ever after"..
|
Modern Pirates are alive
and thriving across the world. One organisation tried
to do something about it.
The
Mucky Ducks were known to be in operation between
1972 and 1997, following this time nothing further
is known. They spanned a region from the China
Sea down to Australia and across to Tonga, with
one further excursion into South Africa.
Although barely mentioned in the book they worked
under the code name of 'The Flying Dutchman' and
Harry's code was 'Hendrick' a name he later gave
to a friend under which to write the book. Due
to the very sensitive nature of sections of this
story, and to avoid any legal complications, it
was first released as fiction. Now with the demise
of most of the characters and certain time statutes
expiring, it can fly under the banner of truth. |
Press
Release The
Mucky Ducks Sail On

HARRY'S
VILLAGE STORIES |
VISIT
THE MUCKY DUCKS FAN CLUB
 |
©The
Mucky Ducks 2003
Hamilton
Island .......... Long
Island Resort
|