Three men stranded on a remote Pacific atoll for nine days were rescued after spelling out "HELP" with palm fronds on the beach, leading Navy and Coast Guard aviators to their location. The men had embarked on a fishing trip from Pulawat Atoll when their boat hit a coral reef, causing it to take on water. A search and rescue mission was launched after they were reported missing, and they were eventually spotted and rescued by aircraft, reuniting with their families after being taken back to the atoll.
Three sailors stranded on a Pacific island were rescued after spelling "help" with palm leaves, guiding rescue efforts to their location. The men, who had been stranded for over a week, were found by a Navy aircraft after a search of over 78,000 square nautical miles. They were in good health and had their damaged boat with them, and were successfully returned to safety.
Three mariners stranded on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean were rescued after spelling out "HELP" with palm leaves on the beach. The men were stranded on Pikelot Atoll after their skiff's motor was damaged, leaving them without a way to return. A U.S. Navy aircraft spotted the distress signal and dropped survival packages to the men until further help arrived. The U.S. Coast Guard then rescued the men and returned them to safety, highlighting the effective coordination and partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and regional partners.
Three fishermen stranded on a remote Pacific atoll were rescued after spelling out "Help" in the sand using palm fronds, with the US Coast Guard spotting their message from the air. In an extraordinary twist, one of the rescuers turned out to be their relative, able to speak their local language. The men had survived by eating coconuts and drinking from a freshwater well on the atoll, and were in good health when rescued. This atoll had seen a similar rescue four years ago when three sailors spelled out "SOS" in palm fronds.
Three mariners stranded on a remote Pacific island were rescued after writing "HELP" with palm fronds on the beach. The men, who were stuck for over a week after their motorized skiff broke down, survived on coconuts and well water. A U.S. Navy aircraft spotted the distress signal and dropped supplies, and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Oliver Henry eventually returned them to safety. This isn't the first time castaways have been rescued from Pikelot, as a similar SOS sign led to the rescue of three other men in 2020.
Three mariners were rescued from a remote atoll in the Pacific after a U.S. Navy plane spotted their "HELP" sign made of palm fronds. The men, stranded for a week, had set out for fishing when their boat was damaged. Their distress call was received after their radio battery died, and they were eventually spotted by a reconnaissance jet. The men were provided with survival packages before being rescued by a Coast Guard cutter, marking a remarkable testament to their will to be found.
Three men were rescued from Pikelot Atoll in the Pacific after being stranded for several days, subsisting on coconuts and well water. The men, who had set out from Polowat Atoll in a damaged skiff, were spotted by a U.S. Navy plane after a relative reported them missing. The Coast Guard dropped survival packages and a radio to the men before their rescue. This incident echoes a similar episode from four years ago when three other mariners were stranded on the same atoll.
A hiker in California was rescued by helicopter after falling off a trail and clinging to a cliffside above the rising ocean tide. The dramatic rescue, captured on video, showed the man being hoisted to safety by the crew of the helicopter. The hiker, who fell 50 to 60 feet from the trail, sustained minor injuries and is in stable condition. Officials are urging caution for hikers in the area, emphasizing the dangers of the steep cliffs.
Alabama high school football coach Chris Smelley, who went missing while kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach, was found safe by a Coast Guard helicopter after being missing for 10 hours. He was located miles from the shore and was in good spirits when found. The community rejoiced over his safe return, and the search involved multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
A hiker in California was rescued by a helicopter team after becoming stranded on a boulder above fast-moving water at Malibu Creek State Park. The dramatic rescue was captured on video and shared on social media, showcasing the man being hoisted to safety by a cable. The operation was led by Malibu Search & Rescue and California State Parks, with assistance from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
A missing hiker in Hawaii was rescued nearly 200 feet down a steep mountain slope after her barking dog caught the attention of bystanders. The Honolulu Fire Department dispatched seventeen responders, who repelled down the slope and airlifted the hiker to safety after finding personal items and contacting the owner. The hiker, a 35-year-old woman, was provided with basic life support treatment before being airlifted to safety about three hours after the initial 911 call.
