Set in the near future, acargo hovership makes an emergency stop in the Midwest to make repairs.An adventurous teenager, Johnny Clinton, sneaks on board.About aday later there is an explosion, the craft comes to a stop in thesouthern Pacific Ocean, and starts to sink. Its crew, not aware they hada stowaway, leaves on a lifeboat. The craft sinks entirely leavingJohnny swimming around in a field of debris. He climbs onto a largerpiece to use as a raft though has no food or shelter.Johnny isrescued by a pod of dolphins who push his raft 100 miles to an island inthe heart of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. There, Johnny meets thebrilliant and eccentric Professor Kazan, who has dedicated his life tothe study of dolphin communication. Johnny's further adventures withdolphins and the sea make this an exciting and fascinating coming-of-agestory.