Filmen officiella novellering indikerar att det fanns en stor luftklyfta på toppen av tanken, mer än nog för att valarna ska andas på sin korta resa, även om den luften inte återvinns av fartygets livsstödssystem (vilket det säkert var).
Fighting the instinct to breathe, Jim kicked through the deep water. He broke the surface and flung up his arm to fend off the ceiling. The sprung seals had allowed most of the air to escape. Only a hands-breadth of airspace remained between the water and the top of the cargo bay. Gasping, treading water, he tilted his head back so his nose and mouth remained in the air. He took a long, deep breath, and dove again.
Detta överensstämmer snyggt med filmens bildskription .
Scene 246: TOP OF CARGO BAY
[Kirk breaks the surface, his lungs screaming for air. Only a few inches remain unflooded. He gulps air, and dives one last time.]