The U.S. Coast Guard saw a palm tree leaf "HELP" sign from the sky and rescued three sailors stranded on a tiny Pacific atoll for almost a week.
The three guys were found Tuesday night on Federated States of Micronesia's minute Pikelot Atoll. They survived on coconuts and water from an island well, but they were running out of food when rescued, officials said.
The unidentified 40-year-old trio, who are related, made their urgent plea with palm tree branches. The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy coordinated their rescue, which left them healthy but dehydrated.
The Coast Guard claimed the sailors fished on Easter Sunday from Polowat Atoll, 115 miles distant, in a 20-foot boat with an outboard motor. A woman called the Coast Guard's Joint Rescue Sub-Center in Guam to report her three uncles missing from Pikelot Atoll.
The search area started at around 78,000 square nautical miles. Only a Coast Guard HC-130J Hercules airplane saw the sailors' palm tree symbol to locate them.
“Every life saved and every mariner returned home is a testament to the enduring partnership and mutual respect that characterizes our relationship, making a profound impact on the lives of individuals and the resilience of communities across the Federated States of Micronesia,” said rescue coordinator Lt. Cmdr. Christine Igisomar.
Pikelot Atoll, a 31-acre coral island 415 miles southeast of Guam, is occasionally visited by fishing boats. A Micronesian sailing expedition found an abandoned improvised Catholic chapel in 2000.
The Coast Guard said weather and plane shortages hampered rescue efforts. USCGC Oliver Henry, already in Micronesia, was redirected to rescue after “persistent efforts”.
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