Discover the Berge-Matterhorn: Ratings & Maritime News

A dramatic rescue unfolded on July 11, 2015, when five fishermen stranded at sea were saved by the vessel "Shoudong Harmony." These fishermen had been adrift in a 14-foot aluminum skiff since July 6, after departing from Teraina Island, Kiribati, for a fishing venture. Their ordeal began when they failed to return, prompting the Rescue Coordination Center in Nandi, Fiji, to notify watchstanders at the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center on July 8 at 4:37 p.m. The initial search efforts yielded no results over several days; however, thanks to the diligence of an HC-130 Hercules air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, the men were spotted on July 10 at 4:15 p.m., approximately 184 miles east northeast of Teraina Island. With no engines, limited provisions, and no lifesaving equipment, their situation was critical. Once located, the Hercules crew promptly dropped essential supplies, including food, water, two VHF radios, a Coast Guard-issued Personal Location Beacon, a signal mirror, and flares, to the stranded fishermen. In collaboration with the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER), the watchstanders in Honolulu coordinated two rescue vessels, the "Shourong Harmony" and the "Moamoa," to aid in the operation. Finally, on July 11 at 1:50 p.m., the fishermen were successfully rescued by the "Shourong Harmony," which was on its way to rendezvous with the "Moamoa" for the transfer of the men back to Kiribati. Remarkably, the recovery location was about 1,087 miles from Honolulu. For more details, including photos and videos of the rescue operation, visit: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2558954/

In a stunning turn of events, five fishermen were rescued after enduring a harrowing five days at sea aboard a 14-foot aluminum skiff with minimal supplies. The crew of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Shourong Harmony, came to their aid on Sunday following a sighting by a U.S. Coast Guard air crew. The men were located 184 miles east-northeast of Teraina Island, Kiribati, situated in the Central Pacific, over 1,300 miles from Hawaii. The fishermen were reported missing to the coast guard last Wednesday afternoon after their delay in returning from a fishing expedition off Kiribati. Their skiff, lacking an engine, had very few provisions and no lifesaving gear, raising concerns for their safety. Despite an initial search and rescue operation yielding no results, hope was restored on Friday when the Coast Guard air crew from Barbers Point located the skiff. They dropped vital supplies, including food, water, two VHF radios, a Personal Location Beacon (PLB), a signaling mirror, and flares to help the stranded fishermen. This miraculous rescue highlights the importance of maritime safety measures and the critical role of the Coast Guard in emergencies at sea.