The boys are shocked when their dad announces that they will be going to sea for a year. They adjust to life on their boat, but their dad suffers a serious shark bite. The boys take on more responsibilities while he recovers. Later, their dad disappears during a storm. The boys are stranded at sea without him. They eventually make it to an island but face more hardships, including a broken leg. They are eventually rescued and reunited with their dad, though Ben struggles to accept his explanation for disappearing. In the end, Ben chooses to stay with his family.