The Cast

Asked the voyage’s first great question — “Is the spa on?” — and got his answer at sunset off Shaw Island. Seeded world champion of the Cup’s first leg. First to the body in the case of Rex Marlin; acquitted of everything but bottle-fondling and spa chemistry. Co-author, with Beck, of the whole glorious week.

Co-author of the voyage and keeper of its standards. Held the saloon alibi watertight on murder night, and held everything else together the other six. The log’s closing tribute on Day Four belongs to her and the Commodore.

Ran the ship’s stretch class — official attendance: two, for at least most of the class. Inventoried the medical kit the day before it mattered, which is either diligence or foreshadowing. Conscience: clear.

Survivor of the Day Two heat moment on the climb. Went ashore at Hamilton in a hat of unusual size. Spent murder night twenty steps from the crime with his eyes closed, and heard a gentle voice say “peace offering”. Saw nothing. Regrets nothing.

Photographs everything on this boat — and it’s lucky she does: her 8:47pm frame cracked the Marlin case. Returned from every shore run with fresh camera batteries and better shots than the rest of us.

Engine of the champion double in the Cup’s first leg, and the only member of the company to actually catch a fish — under the stern lights, before dinner, to general astonishment. Alibi witnesses: the fish.

Sweep of the backpacker boat and co-founder of the Masteka Training Camp, dawn division. Owner of the murder weapon — a personally reserved Corona — which he would like back. Trains at 109 beats per minute.

Kept the Masteka Cup honest across two legs and three rounds, which was not a small job. Spent the fatal evening in the galley negotiating for the last poached pear, and lost the negotiation. Justice: served. Pear: not.

Kept this log. Engine of the backpacker boat, co-founder of the Training Camp, and, for one night only, Inspector Clueso of the Whitsunday Water Police. Took roughly two thousand photographs and filed every one.

Collector of the week’s best lines, from “How much further?” to the ones that can’t be printed. Never left the top deck on murder night — but it was Jane who heard hurried feet on the stairs at a quarter to nine.

Brought legal papers on a superyacht holiday, got them soggy at the bow, and was cleared of murder by his own paperwork — eventually, and furiously. Confirmed every alibi worth having. Billable hours: waived.

Knitter, tea-maker, and convicted killer of Rex Marlin, Yacht Baron of the Whitsundays — manslaughter by seasickness remedy, aggravated by excellent planning. Sentence: tea duty for the remainder of the voyage. Served beautifully.