Three men rescued from Pacific island after writing 'HELP' on beach with leaves

The men survived for a week eating coconut meat and drinking from a freshwater well on the island, sometimes visited by local fishers

A US Navy and Coast Guard operation on Tuesday rescued three mariners stranded on a tiny Pacific Ocean islet for more than a week after the trio spelled out 'HELP' using palm fronds laid on a white-sand beach. Picture: Handout/U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia

Three men who became stranded on a small island in the Pacific Ocean were rescued after they spelt out 'HELP' using palm fronds on the beach.

The men were on a fishing trip in the waters around Micronesia on March 31 when their 20ft boat and engine were damaged, US coast guard officials have said. They could not call for help as their radio had died.