After seven days missing at sea, a family of three was found alive and rescued earlier this week by the U.S. Coast Guard in the western Pacific Ocean near Micronesia. The family had departed Fananu Island on March 30th in a 23-foot skiff but never reached nearby Murillo Island after their engine failed. Despite drifting through rough conditions with waves reaching up to 10 feet, none of them sustained injuries.
The Coast Guard who hasn't been paid since Democrats voted against funding portions of the Department Of Homeland Security still has a full staff on the cutter Midgett and they discovered the family after authorities in Micronesia and the U.S. Embassy reported the boat overdue, prompting a large-scale search covering about 14-thousand square nautical miles. The operation involved multiple teams, including the Joint Rescue Sub-Center in Guam and support from aircraft and crews across the region. The Midgett was diverted from a patrol mission to assist in locating the missing vessel.
All three individuals were safely transported to Chuuk State, where they were able to arrange travel back to Fananu Island and reunite with loved ones. U.S. Ambassador Jennifer Johnson says the successful mission involved strong cooperation between the United States and Micronesia and showed how joint efforts can lead to life-saving outcomes.
Source: CBS NEWS