However, there was one big problem. They technically didn’t have any solid evidence to search the ship. The recording sounded like a desperate and genuine call for help, but it wasn’t enough to get any kind of warrant. At best, it was circumstantial evidence.
Moreover, given the reports about the cargo ship, it was safe to assume that it docked only for a short period of time in order to keep people from seeing what they were up to. If they saw the officers approaching, they would surely not let them aboard. They needed a plan, and luckily, Katherine thought of something.
Katherine asked the police officers to borrow clothing from the research crew to help them blend in. Dressed as marine biologists, they would approach the cargo ship under the pretense of conducting oceanographic studies. The vessel’s current location made it an ideal point for their fabricated research on fish migration.
Once in disguise, Katherine and four officers boarded a small dinghy stored at the back of the research vessel. The waves lapped gently as they drew closer to the cargo ship. Katherine stood at the bow, raised her voice, and called up, “This is Captain Hartley from the National Marine Research Division!”