The U.S. Navy rescued two sailors and their two dogs after the mariners had issued distress signals in the Pacific Ocean for more than two-and-a-half months.
“I’m grateful for their service to our country. They saved our lives. The pride and smiles we had when we saw [the U.S. Navy] on the horizon was pure relief,” said Jennifer Appel, who set off with Tasha Fuiaba from their native Hawaii for Tahiti this spring.
The pair suffered engine failure on May 30, but decided to continue on with their journey by relying on their vessel’s sails.
However, they opted to make daily distress calls after they passed the two-month mark at sea, surviving on water purifiers and a year’s supply of mostly dry food like oatmeal, pasta, and rice.
Appel and Fuiaba’s signal was finally picked up by a Taiwanese fishing boat 900 miles southeast of Japan on Oct. 24 and the U.S.S. Ashland was alerted to their whereabouts.
The duo were scooped up by the Japan-based amphibious dock landing ship, part of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s forward deployed naval forces, on Oct. 25.
“The U.S. Navy is postured to assist any distressed mariner of any nationality during any type of situation,” Cmdr. Steven Wasson, Ashland’s commanding officer, said.
Appel and Fuiaba will remain on Ashland until its next port of call.
