Micronesia: Couple rescued from desert island after SOS spotted in sand

Image copyright US Navy

Image caption The couple were trying to reach another nearby island when they became stranded on East Fayu

Two people have been rescued from an uninhabited Pacific island after a US Navy helicopter spotted their SOS sign.

The pilots spotted the sign drawn into sand on East Fayu Island in Micronesia and alerted the US Coast Guard.

It followed a week-long search for Linus and Sabina Jack, both in their 50s, who were reported missing when they failed to reach a nearby island.

The couple left Weno Island with limited supplies and no emergency equipment, the Navy said.

Image copyright US Navy

Image caption The couple"s 18-foot boat was dragged onto the beach of the uninhabited island

Teams looking for the couple searched 16,571 square miles, deploying 15 boats and two aircraft crews.

A helicopter was sent to fly over East Fayu after a search vessel, British Mariner, reported seeing lights on the uninhabited island.

"The Search and Rescue Operation for Linus and Sabina Jack has been successfully completed," said the US Embassy in Kolonia, the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia.

"They are found and are waiting for a ship to take them home."

Image copyright US Navy

Image caption Their rescue followed a seven-day search by the Coast Guard

It is the second such case this year in the region.

In April, three men were rescued from the tiny, uninhabited Micronesian island of Fanadik, after their boat capsized two miles from shore.

The men used palm fronds to make a giant "Help" sign in the sand and used their lifejackets to signal.

They were rescued by a US Navy search team after three days.

Original Article

Micronesia: Couple rescued from desert island after SOS spotted in sand
http://latiendadejm.com/blog/micronesia-couple-rescued-from-desert-island-after-sos-spotted-in-sand/

| | La tienda de JM