During the early days of World War II, a struggling U.S. Navy submarine, the Sea Tiger, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Matt Sherman, suffers significant damage during a Japanese air raid in the Philippines. Desperate to get his vessel seaworthy again, Sherman recruits the resourceful but opportunistic Lieutenant Nick Holden to secure the necessary supplies for repairs through unconventional and often humorous methods. As they commence makeshift fixes, the Sea Tiger and its quirky crew find themselves hosting a group of stranded Army nurses, adding more complexities and comic predicaments to their mission.

As repairs continue under these chaotic conditions, unforeseen challenges frequently arise, pushing the limits of both the submarine's structural integrity and the crew's ability to function as a cohesive unit. The presence of the nurses brings a mix of distraction and romance, leading to tension and hilarity as they all work toward the common goal of getting the submarine operational. Battling against time, resource shortages, and enemy threats, Lieutenant Commander Sherman and his eclectic crew must navigate an array of obstacles to ensure their survival and continuation of their mission in the war effort.