Mikhail Pichugin, a 46-year-old Russian man, was rescued after spending 67 days adrift in a small inflatable boat in the Sea of Okhotsk, during which his brother and nephew died. Pichugin, his brother Sergey (49), and his nephew Ilya (15) had set off in early August on a whale-watching trip to the remote Shantar Islands but became stranded when their boat’s engine failed on August 9, leaving them helpless in the open ocean.
Survivor Found After 67 Days Adrift, Brother and Nephew Dead
The dramatic rescue of a man who had been drifting at sea for nearly two months on his way to Sakhalin unfolded off the coast of Kamchatka. A fishing vessel crew discovered the boat in the Sea of Okhotsk, near… pic.twitter.com/Srcmj5G7uc
— Russian Market (@runews) October 15, 2024
As the trio drifted, their situation worsened, with limited supplies and no way to call for help. Pichugin described their initial attempts to paddle using oars, but one oar broke, making navigation impossible. Despite using a phone for geolocation for the first week, their power sources quickly depleted, leaving them stranded and unable to signal for rescue effectively.
Both Pichugin’s nephew and brother died during the ordeal. Ilya, who was the first to succumb to starvation and hypothermia, reportedly passed away in September. Sergey, devastated by the loss of his son, began exhibiting erratic behavior and attempted to jump into the freezing waters. Pichugin managed to pull him back, but Sergey later died, refusing food and unable to cope with the situation. Pichugin tied the bodies of his brother and nephew to the boat to prevent them from being washed away by the ocean.
Russian man, Mikhail Pichugin is recovering in a hospital after being stranded at sea for 67 days.
Pichugin reportedly survived due to his weight – despite losing 50kg on the tiny boat.
He also revealed that his nephew Ilya succumbed to starvation onboard and Ilya’s distres pic.twitter.com/0dtjYHK6Hu
— Dailymailin (@dailymailin) October 16, 2024
Pichugin survived by drinking rainwater, using a camel wool sleeping bag for warmth, and holding onto thoughts of his mother and daughter waiting for him at home. He lost over 100 pounds during the 67 days at sea, enduring freezing temperatures, dehydration, and hunger. He was finally spotted by a fishing trawler named “Angel” about 14 nautical miles off the Kamchatka Peninsula, roughly 625 miles from their original departure point. The Russian coast guard had launched search efforts for the family but called them off after a month without success.
Upon his rescue, Pichugin was taken to a hospital in Magadan, where doctors treated him for severe dehydration and hypothermia. Despite his ordeal, Pichugin expressed his desire to return home to bury his brother and nephew. However, he may face legal repercussions, as his vessel was not authorized to venture beyond two nautical miles from shore, violating Russian maritime safety laws. If convicted, Pichugin could face up to seven years in prison.
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