Satawal News

Missing Skiff Found Adrift: One Missing, One Rescued

An overdue skiff reported missing since March 13 with two people aboard was located off the island of Satawal Monday 347 miles west of their departure point at Chuuk Atoll. Locals from Satawal spotted a vessel with one person aboard drifting approximately one mile from shore and launched a vessel to assist. They quickly determined the vessel was the missing skiff and immediately rendered assistance to the 50-year-old survivor. The survivor was fatigued, but in good health. The second man reportedly jumped overboard a week earlier, a few days after the vessel became disabled and adrift. The U.S. Coast Guard along with the U.S. Navy, Federated States of Micronesia, Australia and several commercial mariners searched more than 12,000 miles and suspended search efforts Saturday.