Ep 16. Pokemon Shipwreck

On the shores of the sea, Ash, Misty, and Brock are travelling towards the next town when Ash is interested in a dismantled boat off the shore. They label it as another important milestone in his journey to become a Pokémon trainer. However, their curiosity turns to adventure when they wind up on the boat's remains and find an old man trying to salvage it.

Upon learning the old man, named Rod, was from the vessel, Misty asks to hear his story as he tries to refurbish the ship for one very specific purpose. He hopes to travel to the other side of the ocean to visit his family, but he needs a few more missing items to complete preparations for his journey. He has already used up his savings, and his only source of physical strength is his slow and weary Machoke.

Impressed by his determination, the trio agrees to help him put the ship back together so that he can pursue his dream. When Brock tries to find fuel for the ship, to their dismay, it appears that somebody has stolen it, and Ash, Misty, and Brock offer to help Rod obtain it back. They follow the clues to a mountainous island, where they find themselves stranded in a cave. They eventually emerge from the cave, but only to find themselves fighting Team Rocket for the same gasoline.

After many efforts to reclaim the gasoline, Team Rocket flies away in a hot air balloon using it as part of the balloon's fuel. The group manages to build a raft out of parts from the Krabby they were hunting and sets out over the sea to catch Team Rocket's balloon.

As the teams race close to the goal, they reach a vortex in the ocean, which causes their raft to break apart. While Pikachu, Sleeper, and Staryu try to stop the balloon falling into the vortex, Ash and his friends jump on board to battle the Pokémon while trying to capture Team Rocket.

Ultimately, Ash and the team save Rod's ship and are awarded a day of boating and fishing as a parting gift. They bid farewell to Rod and set out for their next destination.