Three sailors, aged in their 40s, have been successfully rescued after being stranded on a remote Pacific island for over a week. The U.S. Coast Guard announced the miraculous rescue, highlighting the mariners' resourcefulness in writing "HELP" with palm leaves on the white sand beach of Pikelot Atoll.

The sailors had embarked on a fishing trip on March 31 using a 20-foot open skiff sailboat with an outboard motor. However, their vessel suffered severe damage, rendering it non-functional and leaving them stranded on Pikelot Atoll, an outer island of the State of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia.

The search and rescue operation was initiated on April 6 when a concerned relative contacted the Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam, informing them that the sailors had failed to return home. A critical breakthrough occurred the next day when a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft, flying over the island, spotted the mariners, confirming their presence and verifying their condition.

On April 8, a U.S. Coast Guard aircraft dropped a radio to the sailors, establishing communication. Fortunately, the sailors reported that they were in good health, had access to food and water, and managed to recover their damaged skiff. The aircraft crew skillfully deployed survival packages to sustain the stranded mariners until the USCGC Oliver Henry could reroute its course towards Pikelot Atoll on April 9 to perform the final rescue operation.

Following a successful retrieval, the ship safely transported the sailors and their equipment back to their home island of Polowat Atoll, which was located over 100 miles away. The U.S. Coast Guard emphasized their unwavering commitment to search and rescue missions, stressing the importance of ensuring the safety of mariners and coastal communities. Additionally, they highlighted the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia, and their Defense Department partners.

Notably, this is not the first time a remarkable search-and-rescue operation has taken place on Pikelot Atoll. In August 2020, three men were rescued from the island after being missing in the western Pacific Ocean for nearly three days. Their giant message outlined on the beach of tiny Pikelot Island was spotted from above by searchers in an Australian and U.S. aircraft.

The successful rescue of these stranded sailors serves as a testament to the bravery and ingenuity of individuals navigating treacherous waters. It also underscores the invaluable role played by the U.S. Coast Guard and its partners in ensuring the safety and well-being of mariners around the world.