"SOS" in sand leads to rescue of two people stranded on island
CHUUK STATE, Micronesia -- The U.S. Coast Guard says two stranded mariners were rescued Friday after crews saw their “SOS” in the sand on an uninhabited island in Micronesia, CBS Honolulu affiliate KGMB-TV reports.
A U.S. Navy aircraft crew spotted the pair on the beach and gave their location to the Coast Guard in Guam. KGMB-TV says the two, who had no emergency equipment, were picked up and taken to a patrol boat.
The Coast Guard received a report about the couple’s 18-foot vessel going missing on Aug. 19. KGMB-TV says the two departed Weno Island on Aug. 17, and they were expected to arrive at their destination to Tamatam Island the next day.
KGMB-TV says that on Wednesday, a ship noticed flashing lights from the uninhabited Chuuk State island where the two were later found. The U.S. Navy was alerted and spotted the survivors on the beach.