MICRONESIA (VINnews) — Three men marooned on a tiny Pacific island in the Micronesian archipelago were rescued after a giant SOS sign they wrote in the sand was spotted from above. The three has set out from the Puluwat atoll in Micronesia in a small 23-foot boat intending to reach the Pulap atoll situated 27 miles away but their boat veered off course and ran out of fuel.
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After a three-day wait their distress signal- a huge SOS which they wrote in the sand of the uninhabited Pikelot Island where they had landed -was seen by rescue teams in Australian and US aircraft and they were rescued Sunday. SOS is an internationally recognized distress signal, originating from Morse code.
The island is situated 118 miles away from where they had set out.
Three men rescued from desert island after writing SOS in sand pic.twitter.com/aGMw1D9ZyH
— The Independent (@Independent) August 4, 2020
The Australian military ship Canberra had been diverted to the area and joined forces with US teams from Guam after being asked to help in the search effort.
Captain Terry Morrison, Canberra’s commanding officer, said: “I am proud of the response and professionalism of all on board as we fulfill our obligation to contribute to the safety of life at sea wherever we are in the world.”
An Australian military helicopter landed on the beach and provided food and water for the three men, who were all reported in good condition.
Pikelot is part of the State of Yap, one of the four federated states of Micronesia. Although uninhabited, it boasts a rich ecosystem, with a seabird rookery, turtle nesting area and mangroves.
i don’t believe the story. it’s an episode from ‘gilligans island’