Question

Why do you think the narrator searched for an island so eagerly?

Answer 1

The wave that hit Wavewalker had caused extensive damage. Nearly all the boats main frames had been smashed down to the keel. A whole section of the starboard hull was being held up by a few cupboard partitions. Wavewalker could not hold together long enough for them to reach Australia. So he searched for an island to repair the boat.