Starsky and Hutch pose as recreation officers aboard a luxury ocean liner filled with swinging singles, tourists, and an alarming collection of crime syndicate chieftains in the two-hour "Murder at Sea." The murder of a ship's officer takes on an air of intrigue when a young female travel agent for the ship, SS Amapola, is also discovered slain. Starsky and Hutch suspect a smuggling operation aboard the luxury liner and persuade a reluctant Captain LaRue to let them on board as undercover recreation staffers "Hack" and "Zack." At sea, Starsky and Hutch entertain the tourists and discover that several top bosses in the crime syndicate are aboard for a major conference.