The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard rescued three mariners who were stranded for more than a week on a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean after they spelled out "HELP" on the beach.
The three men were stranded on Pikelot Atoll in the remote atolls of Yap and Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia.
Things started on April 6, when a response team in Guam received a distress call from a relative of the three mariners reporting her three uncles had not returned from Pikelot Atoll, approximately 100 nautical miles northwest of Polowat Atoll.
The three men in their 40s reportedly embarked on their voyage on Easter Sunday in a small 20-foot open skiff equipped with an outboard motor.
The men were experienced in navigating the waters but ran into trouble and ended up on the beach without a working boat.
The breakthrough came when a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft identified the three mariners on April 7 on Pikelot Atoll due to the sign.
"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," said Lt. Chelsea Garcia, the search and rescue mission coordinator.
The crew dropped a radio to establish communication. The mariners confirmed they were in good health, had access to food and water and recovered their damaged and unsailable skiff.
They asked for assistance in returning to Polowat.
The USCGC Oliver Henry rendezvoused with them on the morning of April 9 and successfully rescued the mariners and their equipment and returned them to Polowat Atoll.
"This recent operation near Pikelot Atoll hits home the kind of difference we can make," said Lt. Ray Cerrato, commanding officer of USCGC Oliver Henry. "It's about more than just performing a duty; it's about the real human connections we forge and the lives we touch."
The U.S. Coast Guard strongly recommends that all mariners equip their vessels with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) to enhance safety on the water. A growing number of maritime communities offer loaner programs for these devices, making it easier for everyone to access them.
