Three Men Saved by US Coast Guard and Navy After Week-Long Ordeal on Uninhabited Atoll.
A recent maritime rescue has spotlighted the resilience and resourcefulness of three sailors stranded on a minuscule Pacific island. The men, in their 40s and related to each other, were discovered on Pikelot Atoll, part of Micronesia’s Federated States. Their ordeal began after an Easter Sunday voyage from Polowat Atoll on a 20-foot boat, leading to their reported disappearance and a massive search effort covering over 78,000 square nautical miles.
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Despite the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions and limited aircraft availability, the US Coast Guard and Navy managed to locate the trio, thanks to their giant ‘HELP’ sign made from palm tree leaves. Lt. Chelsea Garcia praised their ingenuity, stating that this act played a pivotal role in their swift rescue. Pikelot Atoll, typically uninhabited and located north of Papua New Guinea, occasionally attracts fishing vessels due to its coral-rich waters.
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The rescue operation included a coastguard boat and air-dropped survival supplies, ensuring the sailors’ well-being until their retrieval. They communicated their good health, access to food and water, and the condition of their damaged skiff via radio. Once rescued, they were safely transported back to Polowat Atoll.
This incident echoes a similar 2020 rescue where Micronesian sailors, also stranded on Pikelot Atoll, were saved after crafting an ‘SOS’ signal using palm leaves. These tales of survival and rescue showcase the importance of resourcefulness and international cooperation in maritime emergencies.