Captain's Log

This ship was built by a 4-member crew funded by a generous king. Though the crew was inexperienced, he trusted and believed in their capacity. The king wanted this ship to carry paying passengers from one kingdom to the other. Like normal businesses, he understood that it would take at least two to three years to get his investment back.

Competition was tough. On the first year, this ship only earned less than a fraction of the tenth of the gold that was poured in. But slowly, passengers began to take notice of the ship and competitors even started to feel threatened by its presence. With hard work, perseverance, and impressive team work by the 4-member crew, on the second year, its earnings grew more than forty times than the previous year. Old passengers become loyal customers, with the increasing numbers of the new ones. And as its third year begins, the crew is more confident that they will be able to pass the point beyond break-even, hoping that when the year closes, the crew would be able to prove to their king that his trust has not gone to waste. 

But like all good stories, there are challenges along the way, including the one that this ship has been subjected now. As it sails in the middle of the Pacific ocean, its fuel leaked even with the daily checks done by the crew, leaving the ship floating with an empty tank. Passengers are in with obligations and commitments compromised and delayed due to the current predicament – threatening that they should be compensated from the damages. A storm is imminent yet the captain is unable to maneuver the ship, the crew, and its passengers far from harm’s way. 

From his castle, the king was made aware. He wants to rescue the ship yet, he does not have enough money to buy and send the fuel. He has properties and businesses in his kingdom, yet it seems that he has to give up one in order to buy the fuel. But, it looks like the king is indecisive of letting go of one of his properties or businesses. He sought help from other kingdoms but futile. He relies on a disputed pot of gold, which he has been fighting for more than six years now, still optimistic that he can get it and be able to use it for the stranded ship. Rescue is indefinite. 

The captain is now frustrated. How can he run the ship without any fuel? How can you send troops to battle without ammunition? How can you expect the ship to earn and reach beyond break-even for the year if the ship is stuck in the middle of the ocean with a storm fast approaching? The crew knows that if the king sells one of his properties/businesses, they would be saved and all dreams and goals may be achieved. Yet it seems that option is not a priority of the king. The king scrambles to obtain money from other sources but always unsuccessful. He tells the crew to hang in there while waiting indefinitely for the fuel to arrive. The question is when. Should they rely on that pot of gold? But as time passes by, the king pays for delays and other damages caused. The indecision is causing more harm than good.

Food, water, hygiene, safety, these are some of the concerns in the ship. But the storm is one of the threats. A life raft is available for all, hence abandoning ship can save the whole crew and the passengers, but this means losing the ship in the storm. 

What then should the captain do?

Let go, and everything will fall into place.