Stranded On Unclaimed Island, 3 People Evacuated Thanks To 'HELP' Writing On The Sand

Illustration of Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Three men were rescued by the US Coast Guard from an island in Micronesia. Their location was discovered after writing 'HELP' in the sand using palm tree leaves.

The three people were reported missing after failing to return from a trip to the Atoll Pikelot an uninhabited island about 415 miles from Guam, reported by the BBC, Friday, April 12.

This is the second time in four years that people have been rescued from the island.

The Coast Guard said the victims were three experienced sailors, all men in their 40s but their names were kept secret. They started their sailing journey from Polowat Atoll an island that is part of the State of the Micronesian Federation.

They departed on Easter Sunday for the Atoll Pikelot, about 115 miles away, in a 20-foot traditional boat with a pasty motor, the Coast Guard added.

After failing to return, a relative of the men told the Joint Coast Guard Rescue Sub-Sector in Guam that his three uncles were missing, triggering a search and rescue mission.

The first rescue workers initially conducted a search in an area of more than 78,000 square miles in bad weather. But then they saw those people from the air - thanks to the "HELP" emergency sign.

As extraordinary evidence of their desire to be found, sailors said HELP on the beach using palm leaves, which was an important factor in their discovery, said Lt. Chelsea Garcia, who led the search and rescue mission on the day they were discovered. located.

"This act is very important in guiding direct rescue efforts to their location," he said.

The sailors then replied via radio and said they were in good health and had access to food and water, the US Coast Guard said.

Micronesia, in the western Pacific, consists of about 600 small islands spread across the vast ocean.

"Every life saved, and every sailors returning home is proof of an eternal partnership and mutual respect that characterizes our relationship," said Lt. Cdr Christine Igisomar, who is also part of a search and rescue mission.

Although uninhabited, Atol Pikelot is often temporarily visited by hunters and fishermen. This place has also been another rescue ground in recent years.