Whilerowingoutintheocean,Mitchrescuesanunderwaterphotographer,namedLinda,floatingonsomewreckage.Linda'ssomewhatdisjointed,franticstoryaboutsomethingattackingherinanunderwatercavewhichkilledherpartneranddestroyedherboatismisconstructedbyKayMorgan,anambitious,publicityseekingnewspaperreporter,whocreatesamediafrenzybystartingrumorsabouta"creatureinthebay."HarveyMiller,thenewlifeguardandprankster,benefitsfromtheeventsbysellingunderseacreatureT-shirts.Meanwhile,Shaunirescuesayounggirlfromdrowningandsoonbecomescompelledtorescuethegirl,herbrotherandtheirmotherfromthelifetheyliveintheslumsofSouth-CentralL.A.,muchtoEddie'schagrin.WhileShaunidealswithherpossessivefatherwhodisapprovesofherlifeguardjob,MitchalsopressuresCaptainThorptoaskforfundingfornewadvancedmotorboats,calledScarabs,fortheteam.