Two men from the Solomon Islands have survived 29 days lost at sea, living on coconuts, rainwater and oranges.
Livae Nanjikana and Junior Qoloni endured a harrowing 400km journey after setting out from Mono Island on 3 September in a small motorboat, intending to travel 200km south to New Georgia Island; instead, they were caught in a storm which blew them severely off course.
With their GPS not working, they drifted northwest for nearly a month, living off oranges they had packed for the journey, coconuts that passed their boat, and rainwater they caught in a canvas. Eventually arriving at New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea (pictured) on 2 October, they were rescued by a fisherman and have been staying in PNG while arrangements are made to return them home.
Speaking to The Guardian, Mr Nanjikana said the experience had some silver linings.
“I had no idea what was going on while I was out there. I didn’t hear about COVID or anything else.
“I look forward to going back home but I guess it was a nice break from everything,” he said.
Where do we sign up?
