“Castaways spell HELP, Coast Guard saves day: Next time, pack a GPS!”
So, it turns out that being stranded on a deserted island isn’t just reserved for castaways in cheesy movies. Nope, it happened in real life to three clueless mariners who thought a fishing trip was a good idea. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
John, Sarah, and Peter thought they were the next big thing in the fishing world, but instead of reeling in a big catch, they reeled in a big ol’ mess. Their boat decided to take a nap in the middle of the ocean, leaving them stranded on Pikelot, a tiny Pacific island in Micronesia. Good job, guys. Real top-notch navigational skills there.
But fear not, dear readers, for these three geniuses had a brilliant idea. They decided to channel their inner Robinson Crusoe and spell out HELP with palm fronds on the beach. I mean, who needs a flare gun or a satellite phone when you’ve got palm fronds, am I right?
And lo and behold, their cry for help was spotted by a passing aircraft. Talk about being saved by the bell. Or in this case, by the palm fronds. The US Coast Guard swooped in like the heroes they are and rescued the trio from their sandy prison. I bet they were just thrilled to see civilization again after living off coconuts and fish for days. Yum.
As the castaways were nursed back to health by the coastguard, they probably had a lot of time to reflect on their poor life choices. Maybe next time, they’ll think twice before embarking on a fishing trip with no backup plan. Or maybe they’ll just stick to fishing in their local pond. Less chance of getting stranded on a deserted island that way.
But hey, at least they have a good story to tell at parties now. “Remember that time we almost died on a deserted island? Good times, good times.” I can already hear the laughs and gasps from their friends as they recount their epic tale of survival.
So, let this be a lesson to all you adventurous souls out there. Always carry a flare gun, a satellite phone, or heck, even a walkie-talkie if you’re feeling fancy. Because you never know when you might end up stranded on a deserted island, spelling out HELP with palm fronds like a bunch of lost tourists. Stay safe out there, folks. And maybe invest in a GPS while you’re at it. Just a thought.
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Source: The Washington Post
URL: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/11/castaways-rescued-pacific-island/