US Coast Guard, Navy rescue 3 fishermen from deserted island after spelling 'HELP' with palms

Three men who went missing after leaving from Polowat Atoll, Micronesia, to go fishing were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday, after a U.S. Navy plane saw their plea for 'help,' which was spelled out on the sand using palm tree fronds.

The efforts presented several challenges because of aircraft availability and weather conditions, the Coast Guard said, but eventually a Navy P-8 aircraft joined the search out of Kadena Air Force Base in Japan. Also joining the search was the USCG Cutter Oliver Henry. The search area spanned over 78,000 square nautical miles. On April 7, a P-8 Poseidon aircraft located the mariners on Pikelot Atoll and were able to confirm their condition.

In a remarkable testament to their will to be found, the mariners spelled out ‘HELP’ on the beach using palm leaves, a crucial factor in their discovery. This act of ingenuity was pivotal in guiding rescue efforts directly to their location,' Lt. Chelsea Garcia said. 'This successful operation underscores the effective coordination and partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and regional partners.

After establishing communication, the men said they were in good health, had access to food and water, and recovered the boat, which had sustained damage. Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir of Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Sector Guam told Stars and Stripes the men were slightly dehydrated, though they were able to survive on water from a well on the island. She also said the men ate meat from coconuts until receiving survival packages from the Navy.

The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the matter. 'Whether we're out there protecting valuable resources or saving lives, we're not just visitors – we're members of this vibrant maritime community that connects all these islands,' Lt. Ray Cerrato, commanding officer of the cutter Oliver Henry said. 'This recent operation near Pikelot Atoll hits home the kind of difference we can make.

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