In a secluded village located in Communist China, American merchant marine Captain Tom Wilder escapes imprisonment with the help of the local villagers. They seek his expertise and leadership to guide them out of the country by sea. The villagers are desperate to flee the oppressive regime, and they believe the captain's navigational skills are their only hope for freedom. As he begins to understand their plight, Wilder begrudgingly agrees to assist them, even though he is haunted by his own past and has become disillusioned with the idea of heroism.

The journey is fraught with peril as they must navigate through dangerous waters known as Blood Alley. The villagers face numerous obstacles, including close encounters with patrol boats, mechanical failures, and internal conflicts that threaten their escape's success. Alongside a strong-willed woman named Cathy Grainger, whose determination bolsters the group's morale, Wilder must confront his personal demons and rediscover his sense of purpose. Together, they spearhead a daring odyssey towards the promise of liberty, battling both natural and man-made adversities along the way.