In a dramatic rescue operation, three mariners who had been stranded on a tiny island in the Pacific have been safely rescued after spelling out the word "HELP" with palm leaves on the beach, according to the Coast Guard. This incident marks the second time in four years that castaways have been found on Pikelot Atoll.

The sailors, all experienced in their 40s, had set off on their voyage from Polowat Atoll on Easter Sunday using a 20-foot open skiff equipped with an outboard motor. However, after six days, the Coast Guard in Guam received a distress call from a relative reporting that the three men had not returned as expected to Pikelot Atoll, which is located approximately 100 nautical miles northwest of Polowat Atoll.

Immediately launching a joint search and rescue operation, the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy faced challenges due to poor weather conditions and limited assets in the area. However, a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft crew based in Japan was deployed, and the USCGC Oliver Henry cutter was diverted to the vast search area spanning over 78,000 square nautical miles.

In a stroke of ingenuity, the stranded mariners used palm leaves to spell out the word "HELP" on the beach. This ingenious act became a crucial factor in their discovery. Lt. Chelsea Garcia, the search and rescue mission coordinator, described it as a remarkable testament to their will to be found, saying, "This act of ingenuity was pivotal in guiding rescue efforts directly to their location."

It was on Sunday, eight days after they went missing, that the Poseidon aircraft crew spotted the message and located the three mariners on the isolated island. Survival packages were dropped to the men until further assistance could arrive, and the Coast Guard cutter was dispatched to carry out the rescue operation.

The following day, a Coast Guard aircraft from Hawaii dropped a radio to establish communication with the mariners. The men confirmed they were in good health and had access to food and water. They also reported that their boat had sustained damage and its engine was broken.

Finally, on Tuesday morning, the USCGC Oliver Henry reached Pikelot Atoll, successfully transporting the stranded sailors back to their home on Polowat Atoll. Lt. Cmdr. Christine Igisomar, the search and rescue mission coordinator, emphasized the importance of partnerships and the impact they have on saving lives and strengthening communities in Micronesia.

In a remarkable coincidence, this is not the first time stranded sailors have been rescued from Pikelot Atoll after sending a distress signal from the beach. In 2020, three individuals were saved when they spelled out "SOS" in the sand, alerting Australian and U.S. aircraft to their situation.

These rescue operations serve as a testament to the resilience and determination of individuals facing adverse circumstances at sea. The timely coordination between the Coast Guard, Navy, and international partners has once again brought stranded mariners safely back home.