US Navy Rescues Trio Stranded in Pacific for More Than a Week After Spying ‘HELP’ Sign: USCG
A USCG spokesperson mentioned that the castaways on the island were a little dehydrated and survived by consuming coconut meat.
After more than a week of being stranded on a remote atoll in the Pacific Ocean, a group of sailors were rescued when officials noticed a “HELP” sign made from palm leaves on the beach.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) released a statement on April 9, stating that a family member of the three mariners, who are all men in their 40s but remain unidentified, contacted the Joint Rescue Sub-Center in Guam on April 6 to report their uncles missing after not returning from their voyage from Polowat Atoll, approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Pikelot.
These castaways, well-versed in navigating the waters in the area, started their journey on March 31 in a 20-foot open skiff with an outboard motor, according to the USCG.
Following the report of their disappearance, officials swiftly launched a search and rescue operation covering an initial search area of over 78,000 square nautical miles.
Progress in the operation occurred when a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon jet crew, dispatched from Kadena Air Base in Japan, spotted the palm frond sign on April 7, confirming the presence and condition of the men.
According to the USCG, “The mariners confirmed they were in good health, had access to food and water, and recovered their skiff, which unfortunately sustained damage, rendering it and its outboard engine non-functional. They expressed a desire for assistance in returning to Polowat.”
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The crew of the P-8 Poseidon dropped survival packages on the island on April 7 to sustain the men until further assistance arrived to pick them up.
On April 8, a USCG search and rescue aircraft from Hawaii also dropped a radio to establish communication as the trio’s radio had run out of power before they could call for help.
On the morning of April 9, the USCG’s fast response cutter Oliver Henry met the men on Pikelot, a small uninhabited island shaped like a teardrop and part of the Federated States of Micronesia, and returned them to Polowat with their equipment.
‘Slightly Dehydrated’
“In a remarkable testament to their will to be found, the mariners spelled out ‘HELP’ on the beach using palm leaves, a crucial factor in their discovery. This act of ingenuity was pivotal in guiding rescue efforts directly to their location,” stated Lt. Chelsea Garcia, the coordinator of the search and rescue mission, on the day they were found by the P-8 Poseidon’s crew.
“This successful operation underscores the effective coordination and partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and regional partners.”
Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir of Coast Guard Forces Micronesia informed Stars and Stripes that the men were “slightly dehydrated” before survival packages were dropped by crews. She added that they did not have enough food to last much longer.
“Their initial goal was to fish around Pikelot, but the skiff was damaged when they approached the island due to the swells surging on the island and surrounding shoal,” Ms. Muir said. “They were originally going to meet up with another family from Satawal [Atoll] at Pikelot. The Satawal family ended up not going due to weather and sea conditions.”
The USCG strongly advises all mariners to have an emergency position-indicating radio beacon on their vessels, a tracking device that quickly alerts authorities to the location of those in need.
These devices are installed on ships after being registered with national search and rescue forces, enabling faster response in emergencies
