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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'.
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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.
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"...
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 Orbison, The Beach Boys, ABBA,
The Mamas and the Papas and others 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 them with little but a hard day to day
existence. R&R came from extended stays on Hamilton
Island and Long Island Resort in the Whitsunday
Islands- these helped to clear the minds.
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"..
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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

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©The
Mucky Ducks 2003
Hamilton
Island .......... Long
Island Resort
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