Sailors stranded on Pacific desert island use giant SOS to attract rescue
- The men had been missing for nearly three days when their distress signal was spotted on uninhabited Pikelot Island
- They had apparently intended to travel about 43km in their 7-metre boat, but were found 190km from where they set out
The men had been missing in the Micronesia archipelago for nearly three days when their distress signal was spotted on Sunday on uninhabited Pikelot Island by searchers on Australian and US aircraft, the Australian defence department said.
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The men had apparently set out from Pulawat atoll in a 7-metre boat on July 30 and had intended to travel about 43km to Pulap atoll when they sailed off course and ran out of fuel, the department said.
Pikelot is a low coral islet, with forest and scrub, that is home to a seabird rookery and turtle nesting site.
Searchers in Guam asked for Australian help. The military ship, Canberra, which was returning to Australia from exercises in Hawaii, diverted to the area and joined forces with US searchers from Guam.
The men were found about 190km from where they had set out.
“I am proud of the response and professionalism of all on board as we fulfil our obligation to contribute to the safety of life at sea wherever we are in the world,” said the Canberra’s commanding officer, Captain Terry Morrison, in a statement.
The men were found in good condition, and an Australian military helicopter was able to land on the beach and give them food and water. A Micronesian patrol vessel was dispatched to pick them up.
SOS is an internationally recognised distress signal that originates from Morse code.
