1 month ago
Three men who went missing aft leaving from Polowat Atoll, Micronesia, to spell sportfishing were rescued by nan U.S. Coast Guard connected Tuesday, aft a U.S. Navy level saw their plea for "help," which was spelled retired connected nan soil utilizing thenar character fronds.
The Coast Guard said successful a property merchandise that nan 3 men, each successful their 40s, near from Polowat Atoll connected March 30 to spell sportfishing adjacent Pikelot Atoll, a 31-acre deserted land astir 100 miles from wherever they near successful a 20-foot skiff pinch an outboard motor.
The 3 men, who were not identified, were reportedly knowledgeable successful navigating nan waters, though erstwhile they went missing, family members became concerned.
Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam started coordinating hunt and rescue operations aft nan trio was reported missing.
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The unit of a Hawaii-based HC-130J Hercules craft makes interaction pinch 3 mariners stranded connected Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, aft dropping them a power connected April 8. The aircrew was capable to pass nan mariners that USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) would get connected April 9 and beryllium capable to carrier them location to Polowat Atoll. (U.S. Coast Guard)
The efforts presented respective challenges because of craft readiness and upwind conditions, nan Coast Guard said, but yet a Navy P-8 craft joined nan hunt retired of Kadena Air Force Base successful Japan. Also joining nan hunt was nan USCG Cutter Oliver Henry.
The hunt area spanned complete 78,000 quadrate nautical miles.
On April 7, a P-8 Poseidon craft located nan mariners connected Pikelot Atoll and were capable to corroborate their condition.
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The unit of USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) helps transportation nan belongings of 3 mariners stranded connected Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, connected April 9. (U.S. Coast Guard)
"In a singular testament to their will to beryllium found, nan mariners spelled retired ‘HELP’ connected nan formation utilizing thenar leaves, a important facet successful their discovery. This enactment of ingenuity was pivotal successful guiding rescue efforts straight to their location," Lt. Chelsea Garcia said. "This successful cognition underscores nan effective coordination and business betwixt nan U.S. Coast Guard, nan U.S. Navy, and location partners."
The unit of nan craft deployed endurance packages to nan fishermen, while nan Oliver Henry was rerouted to nan atoll to rescue nan men.
Another Coast Guard asset, an HC-130J Hercules craft based retired of Air Station Barbers Point successful Hawaii, travel complete nan atoll and located nan fishermen, dropping a power to found communication, nan Coast Guard said.
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The unit of USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) rescued 3 mariners stranded connected Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia. (U.S. Coast Guard)
After establishing communication, nan men said they were successful bully health, had entree to nutrient and water, and recovered nan boat, which had sustained damage.
Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir of Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Sector Guam told Stars and Stripes nan men were somewhat dehydrated, though they were capable to past connected h2o from a good connected nan island. She besides said nan men ate nutrient from coconuts until receiving endurance packages from nan Navy.
Once nan Oliver Henry arrived, they were capable to retrieve nan 3 men from nan Pikelot Atoll connected Tuesday and return them to Polowat Atoll.
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The Coast Guard did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital's petition for remark connected nan matter.
"Whether we're retired location protecting valuable resources aliases redeeming lives, we're not conscionable visitors – we're members of this vibrant maritime organization that connects each these islands," Lt. Ray Cerrato, commanding serviceman of nan cutter Oliver Henry said. "This caller cognition adjacent Pikelot Atoll hits location nan benignant of quality we tin make. It's astir much than conscionable performing a duty; it's astir nan existent quality connections we forge and nan lives we touch."
Greg Wehner is simply a breaking news newsman for Fox News Digital.
Story tips and tin beryllium sent to [email protected] and connected Twitter @GregWehner.
