An ugly hostage situation on board HMAS Hammersley sees two of the ship's female officers taken hostage below decks. It's a day of high tension, which begins when a group of shipwrecked illegal immigrants is rescued from a sand bay. Along with Afghan refugees, and a chronically ill Asian girl, are three super-fit Eastern Europeans who waste no time once they are safe on board.

Robert fails a drug test but is determined to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, the Hammersley uncovers a smuggling operation by Samaruian rebels which is designed to destabilise the government.