Occasionally, a great spread of water, like white flames, swarmed into her."(199) The ocean is apathetic to the existence of the boat like as an elephant is apathetic to the existence of an ant. The boat gets tossed around as the ocean moves at its will and pleasure with total disregard for the boat and its passengers. It is the men who have to work and gauge the ocean's moves and plan their movements to steer away from the dangers the ocean presents. As the men try to save the boat from drowning, they also have to save themselves from other manifestations of nature and the hazards it presents. There is an instance when an apparently harmless flock of seagulls suddenly become a threat to the boat's stability. The men have to calculate their moves so as to not to jeopardize the balance and safety of the boat. One of the seagulls lands on the captain's head. The captain could not do much except to suppress his urge to knock the bird away, for the fear of capsizing the boat. This action does save the boat from capsizing. Obviously, the seagulls never willingly set out to capsize the boat, however they did cause a menace to the men and the boat. The men already being in a very vulnerable position have to fear every move of nature. Nature, in whatever form it may be, is always more forceful than man. .
Nature does not consider the strengths and weaknesses of humans, but just continues on its own course. Throughout the ordeal on the ocean, Billie the oiler always works harder than the rest of the crew and more determined to survive. In order to save the boat and its passengers from the storm, Billie, who is also the strongest of the crew, tries hard to battle the storm and to steer the boat toward the shore. Billie invests his heart, soul and effort into the battle for survival indicating that he was very optimistic about surviving. He was always willing to row the boat though it was a strenuous job.