Point of Honor by Maurice Medland (Good, 1997, Pbk, 384 pgs, Pinnacle)

During a routine naval patrol off the coast of Peru, a U.S. Navy destroyer encounters an abandoned freighter. With a tropical storm kicking up, Lieutenant Daniel Blake and a boarding party plan a quick search of the vessel. But once on board the ship, the young naval officer discovers thirty tons of cocaine, 350 million dollars in cash, six mutilated corpses—and a murderer still lurking below deck. After a gale force wind destroys all communication, Lt. Blake is under attack by helicopter gun ships led by a powerful druglord determined to recover his freight, all while fending off a vicious killer. Caught in a terrifying sea battle between good and harrowing evil, it's going to take everything Lt. Blake has to steer the ship to safety—and keep himself and his crew alive.

[secular novel]