A ‘HELP’ sign made from palm leaves is displayed on Pikelot Atoll.
United States Coast Guard/United States Coast Guard
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United States Coast Guard/United States Coast Guard
A ‘HELP’ sign made from palm leaves is displayed on Pikelot Atoll.
United States Coast Guard/United States Coast Guard
The US Coast Guard and Navy successfully rescued three sailors stranded on a small island in the Pacific Ocean for more than a week, after they wrote “help” in the sand with palm leaves.
Three men, all in their 40s, left Easter Sunday on a small 20-foot boat from Polowat to Pikelot (both locations are two small islands in the Pacific that make up the archipelago Micronesia), Coast Guard said.
Six days later, on Saturday, a woman called the Coast Guard to report that her uncles had not returned from Pikelot, about 100 nautical miles from where they started. A Coast Guard rescue center in Guam began the search but encountered difficulties due to weather and available resources. Later, a Japan-based Navy aircraft and the Coast Guard ship Oliver Henry joined the mission.
Crews searched an area of more than 78,000 square nautical miles, and Navy aircraft discovered the trio’s palm leaf message the next day.
“This deft action was pivotal in guiding rescue efforts directly to their location,” said Lt. Chelsea Garcia, search and rescue mission coordinator.
Crews deployed a radio and other supplies down, who said they had food and water, were in good health, and their boat, although it was damaged. On Tuesday, the men were returned to Polowat.
“Whether we are out there to protect precious resources or save lives, we are not just visitors – we are members,” said Lt. Ray Cerrato, commanding officer of USCGC Oliver Henry. member of the vibrant maritime community that connects all these islands.” . “This recent activity near Pikelot Atoll highlighted the difference we can make. It’s not just about doing our duty, it’s about the real connections between people that we create and the lives we touch.”
