In every major port and waterway, there are salvage companies waiting to respond to distress calls, serving as something like a private emergency service for the open ocean. In return for the difficult and dangerous work of putting out a fire, plugging a leak, or towing an immobilized ship to safety, salvors have the right to claim a portion of the value of what they save—often around 10 percent, though the most challenging jobs can earn them far more. With so much oil on board, the Brillante would be a major prize for this team, who’d come with impressive speed from nearby Aden.
