Saved after 5 months adrift in the Pacific
TWO women and their dogs have been rescued after five months adrift in the shark-infested Pacific. Jennifer Appel, 48, and Tasha Fuiava were left helpless after a string of mishaps as they tried to sail from Hawaii to Tahiti. And they believe their boat was in such bad condition after months at sea, it might not have lasted another 24 hours. Within a couple of weeks of setting out in early May, their engine became disabled in bad weather. They had already had their mast rigging damaged, which limited their ability to manoeuvre. The boat twice came under attack from tiger sharks and the women made repeated distress calls. But no vessels were in range to answer them. The crippled boat was finally spotted this week by a Taiwanese fishing vessel, who alerted the US navy. Amphibious dock landing ship the USS Ashland, based in Japan, was nearby on a routine deployment and reached the damaged sailboat on Wednesday morning.
Video released by the navy showed Jennifer blowing kisses to the approaching seamen as the women’s two dogs, Zeus and Valentine, barked in welcome.
“It was incredibly emotional, and it was so satisfying to know the men and women that serve our country would come and assist us,” said Jennifer.
“The pride and smiles we had when we saw them on the horizon was pure relief.”
The women, who both live in Honolulu, were able to survive because the boat had a water purifier and a year’s supply of dry food.
Their yacht was deemed unseaworthy and was left drifting out at sea.