Terry Lambert is sleeping with Sylvia, the wife of his boss. One night, while in Terry's apartment, Sylvia witnesses a man assault a young woman, Denise, on the road below. Not wanting to reveal her affair with Terry, she keeps quiet. Terry instead steps forward, trying to help nab the criminal. However, he never saw the suspect and, when his lies are uncovered, the police begin to suspect his motives.
Against formidable odds -- and an old-school diving instructor embittered by the U.S. Navy's new, less prejudicial policies -- Carl Brashear sets his sights on becoming the Navy's first African-American master diver in this uplifting true story. Their relationship starts out on the rocks, but fate ultimately conspires to bring the men together into a setting of mutual respect, triumph and honor.