A red and a blue ship have just collided in the Caribbean. Apparently, the survivors are marooned.

Behind the Groan

Stranded in a Mixed Color

Marooned normally means stranded in an isolated place, especially after trouble at sea. Maroon is also the dark reddish color suggested when red and blue combine. Tell the collision like a brief news report and keep “Apparently” dry and official. The serious maritime meaning arrives first; the ships' colors then reveal why “marooned” was chosen.