09-Twelve Mile Limit (47 page)

After voluminous research, after hours of interviews with their friends, families, and coworkers, I am convinced that all were capable of enduring heroically and that they probably did endure heroically—three lone stars out on the Gulf Stream.

The political realities of South America as portrayed here are also based on extensive personal research and are accurate in each detail, including information on the natural history of Amazon rain forests and the work of terrorist cells that have found safe haven in the South American country of Colombia. For instance, the fictional Hal Harrington speaks factually when he writes: “Maicao, Colombia, is an Islamic extremist stronghold. Our government has yet to deal with anti-American organizations here, but it is time we started.” The same is true about the data on the international flesh-trade business, white slavery, and the smuggling of illegal aliens.

I should add, however, in fairness to Colombia and its 48 million people—most of whom are extraordinarily friendly, gifted, and generous—that this country remains one of my favorite travel destinations despite its troubles. Jamaica? The Bahamas? San Jose, Costa Rica, or Mexico? I feel much safer in Cartagena, and, in my opinion, it’s a heck of a lot more fun and far more interesting.

The trick is choosing where you go outside Cartagena, and when. The same is true of all rain-forest countries and other wild regions—open sea, for instance—for, in these places, “civilized” people disappear every day.

Randy Wayne White

Hotel Santa Clara

Cartagena, Colombia

Acknowledgments

The islands of Sanibel and Captiva and the old Conquistador city of Cartagena, Colombia, are real places, and, I hope, faithfully described, but they are all used fictitiously in this novel.

The same is true of certain actual businesses, marinas, bars, and other places frequented by Doc Ford, Tomlinson, and their friends. In all other respects, this novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

The author would like to thank Dr. Allan W. Eckert for his friendship and his invaluable research on the Amazon Valley, its flora and fauna and its indigenous people. In South America, during my research there, William Dau, Alvaro Sierra, and Jorge Arauja were all extremely helpful. Dave Lara, Margarita Rosa, Mayra Salgado, and Haroldo Payares provided valuable social and political insights. Claudia Vinueza was helpful in translating English words into Jivaro or similar dialects.

I would also like to thank Cmdr. Larry Simmons, formerly of SEAL Team One, and CPO Bobby Richardson of SEAL Team Two for their patient assistance over the years. The good people at Mote Marine Laboratories-Capt. Peter Hull, Dr. John Miller, and J. Robert Long to name a few-were, once again, very generous with their time and expertise in the field of marine biology.

Others who contributed to this novel include Paul Rhynard, Dr. Alan Steinman, rear admiral, retired, of the U.S. Coast Guard Health Service; Capt. Denis Bluett, Ed Deloreyes, and Eric Spurlock of the U.S. Coast Guard; veterinarians Dr. Laura E. Bogert and Dr. Robert B. Miller; Renee T. Humbert for her expertise on octopi, Sue Williams, Clair Lamb, Patti Haase, Dr. Thaddeus Kostrubala, Chuck Krise of Underwater Explorers, Karen Bell of Bell Seafood, John Mc-Neal and Bill Haney, and also Ric Antey, Barbara Scott, Vivien Godfrey, John Mann, Dorie Cox, Rick Harrison, and all my pals at Bluewater Charts in Ft. Lauderdale.

I would also like to especially thank John Camp for his excellent advice, and Bill Madott for his support and encouragement. He and other family members who braved their way through the tragic sinking, and the search that followed, have been through hell, and they prove the resiliency and brilliance of the human spirit.

These people all provided valuable guidance and information. All errors, exaggerations, omissions, or fictionalizations are entirely the fault and/or the responsibility of the author.