Three Mariners Rescued from Pacific Atoll After Spelling 'HELP' with Palm Leaves

The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy coordinated a successful rescue operation for three stranded men on Pikelot Atoll, utilizing air and sea assets to locate and recover them.

Three experienced mariners, all in their 40s, were rescued from Pikelot Atoll after spelling out 'HELP' with palm leaves, enabling their discovery.
The men embarked on a fishing trip from Polowat Atoll on March 31 and were reported missing six days later by a relative.
A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft first spotted the distress signal, leading to the deployment of survival packages and a rescue coordination.
The USCGC Oliver Henry successfully rescued the men on April 9, returning them and their damaged skiff to Polowat Atoll.
This incident marks the second rescue from Pikelot Atoll in recent years, following a similar event in 2020 where sailors used an 'SOS' sign.