Jacksonville-based crew helps rescue of mariners next to SOS

A Patrol Squadron out of Jacksonville helps rescue two stranded mariners on an uninhabited Pacific Island.

Patrol Squadron Eight, aboard a Navy P-8A Poseidon, responded to a report of clashing lights when they spotted the couple on a beach on a Micronesian Island. The mariners had written SOS in the sand.

The crew relayed coordinates to Coast Guard Sector Guam, who was able to rescue the mariners.

The couple's vessel was reported overdue August 19^th. They had left Weno Island August 17^th with limited supplies and no emergency equipment and were expected to arrive at Tamatam Island August 18^th, according to the Coast Guard. During search efforts August 24^th, a vessel spotted light signals, at which point they requested a Navy P-8A aircraft crew to investigate. The rescue took place August 26^th.

16,571 square miles were searched over the seven day effort.