Missing fishermen rescued

MICRONESIA – Three fishermen have been rescued in the Federated States of Micronesia after they spent eight days stranded at sea.

The 5.8-metre skiff was first reported missing on February 12 after it failed to return from a fishing expedition near Chuuk.

Coast Guard planes from Guam searched for several days, before a US Navy plane was diverted from Japan to join the search.

The Navy said its Poseidon aircraft found the skiff and dropped a supply kit, before the survivors were picked up by a nearby police vessel and returned to Chuuk.

It said the skiff had adequate food and water supplies, but there was no safety equipment or radios.