i think, after his captain had died his crew decided to come home and maybe regroup. some deciding to stay, while some decided to go back out to sea with a new captain (maybe). but i would believe that this is more or less a year into the three years. he decides to head back out to sea, thinking that is the lesser of the two evils he has for choices. he has so much pent up anger and hatred for his brother and his wife that he believes he would opt for violence rather than being the "bigger man" he obviously assumes he could not be. staying on land for him isn't really a choice, but it really seems to hurt him to leave his children.
i think, after his captain had died his crew decided to come home and maybe regroup. some deciding to stay, while some decided to go back out to sea with a new captain (maybe). but i would believe that this is more or less a year into the three years. he decides to head back out to sea, thinking that is the lesser of the two evils he has for choices. he has so much pent up anger and hatred for his brother and his wife that he believes he would opt for violence rather than being the "bigger man" he obviously assumes he could not be. staying on land for him isn't really a choice, but it really seems to hurt him to leave his children.