The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three survivors from a deserted island Tuesday after they had lived on coconuts, rats, and conch for 33 days, the maritime security branch said.
Two men and one woman were spotted waving makeshift flags Monday after a routine air patrol flew around the waters of Anguilla Cay, Bahamas, near a chain of islands between the Lower Keys and Cuba, according to a readout.
#BreakingNews @USCG is assisting 3 people who have reportedly been stranded on Anguilla Cay, Bahamas for 33 days. An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew has dropped a radio, food and water. More to follow.#D7 #Ready #Relevant #Responsive #searchandrescue #USCG pic.twitter.com/D263ptTarz
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) February 9, 2021
Aircraft Commander Mike Allert said they discovered the survivors after they saw them waving “flags that they actually had in addition to a large cross that they put out there for themselves.”
Allert’s team dropped off food, water, and a radio to the survivors Monday before rescuing them 24 hours later, citing inclement weather.
The survivors were transported by helicopter the following day and taken to Lower Keys Medical Center. None of them sustained any serious injuries.
Allert told ABC News the group appeared dehydrated, fatigued, and “in dire straits due to a lack of fresh water on the island.”
The group of survivors told the Coast Guard they were from Cuba and became stranded after their boat capsized due to rough waters nearly five weeks prior. The group swam to the deserted island and reportedly survived off the land.
Sean Connett, command duty officer at Coast Guard Seventh District, described the rescue mission as “a very complex operation involving assets and crews from different units.”
“Thanks to good communication and coordination between command centers and pilots, we were able to safely get everyone to a medical facility before the situation could worsen,” Connett added.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Murray said it was not immediately clear whether the surviving group were attempting to get to the U.S. or whether they were fisherman lost at sea.
“I cannot recall a time that we saved people who were stranded for over a month on an island,” Murray said. “That is a new one for me.”
#UPDATE @USCG rescued the 3 Cuban nationals stranded on Anguilla Cay. A helicopter crew transferred the 2 men & 1 woman to Lower Keys Medical Center with no reported injuries. More details to follow.#D7 #USCG #Ready #Relevant #Responsive pic.twitter.com/4kX5WJJhs8
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) February 9, 2021
