A story that was probably in Gay male category

[LupaSolaris]

Hello,

I'm looking for the story of a young guy that just embarked on a ship (of fishermen, I think). His father forced him to enroll to "man up"... He is clumsy, seasick, awkward. One of the men takes pity of him and takes him under his wing to teach him the job to do.

This man is an absolute closeted gay male, that kept this secret for decades to stay on the ship. He has recognized that new guy is gay too, and he takes on himself to keep him safe.

One event I remember and loved is when the young guy falls in the sea, and the only way to keep him from dying of hypothermia is that someone accepts to lay in bed naked with the poor guy... The closeted man has to be the one, since they already share the room so nobody will think it's disgusting.

So, you know this story?

Thank you!

 

[LupaSolaris]

Would it help if I told you that the boy eventually goes back on land, but the man cannot follow him first, and that someone unexpected encourages him to follow his heart and go to his boy?