The inscription on the sand "SOS" saved three men

The men were immediately given fresh water and food; they had no major injuries.

All three set out by boat from the Puluwat atoll on July 30 and intended to sail about 27 miles to the Pulap atoll. But the sailors got off course and ran out of fuel.

Three days they waited for someone to notice from above their inscription "SOS", carved in sand on the beach. Eventually they spotted him from an airplane looking for them Australian and American rescuers.

According to the Australian Ministry of Defence, the survivors were found on Sunday, about 118 miles from where they left from. They were picked up by a helicopter from the Australian ship Canberra, which was on a sea exercise off the coast of Hawaii and was asked to assist.

Captain Terry Morrison, commander of the ship, who, along with the American search teams, joined the action, said that "he is proud of the reaction and professionalism of everyone on board," because it is always about "fulfilling the commitment to contribute to the safety of life at sea."

The BBC reports that the survivors were then transported home by a patrol boat of Micronesia. This country in the Pacific Ocean consists of about 600 small islands and atolls scattered across the vast ocean. In the past Micronesia was an area entrusted by the United Nations administration of the United States. Independence gained in 1986, but is associated with the US, which is responsible for foreign and defence policy.

Source: PAP