Castaways rescued when giant SOS spotted in the sand

The three men had gone off course and run out of fuel but were found safe and well

An Australian Army helicopter lands on Pikelot Island where three men were found safe and healthy after their giant SOS sign was spotted by warplanes. Australian Defence Force via AP

An Australian Army helicopter lands on Pikelot Island where three men were found safe and healthy after their giant SOS sign was spotted by warplanes. Australian Defence Force via AFP

An Australian Army helicopter lands on Pikelot Island where three men were found safe and healthy after their giant SOS sign was spotted by warplanes. Australian Defence Force via AFP

Three Micronesian men have been rescued from a tiny Pacific island after writing a giant SOS sign in the sand that was spotted from above.

The men had been missing in the Micronesia archipelago for nearly three days when their distress signal was spotted on Sunday on the uninhabited Pikelot Island by searchers on Australian and US warplanes, the Australian defence department said Monday.

The men had apparently set out from Pulawat atoll in a 7-meter boat on July 30 and had intended to travel about 43 kilometres to Pulap atoll when they sailed off course and ran out of fuel, the department said.

Searchers in Guam asked for Australian help. The military ship, HMAS Canberra, which was returning to Australia from exercises in Hawaii, diverted to the area and joined forces with US searchers from Guam.

The men were found about 190 kilometres from where they had set out.

“I am proud of the response and professionalism of all on board as we fulfil our obligation to contribute to the safety of life at sea wherever we are in the world,” said the Canberra’s commanding officer, Capt Terry Morrison.

The men were found in good condition and an Australian military helicopter was able to land on the beach and give them food and water. A Micronesian patrol vessel was due to pick them up.

SOS is an internationally recognised distress signal that originates from Morse code.