NYK Car Carrier rescues 5 fishermen Adrift in the Western Pacific
Zeus Leader had departed from Yokohama on May 20 for Townsville, Australia. While the ship was en route to Australia on May 25, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) based in Guam phoned the ship to request a rescue of five Micronesian fishermen who had been missing for five days.
Zeus Leader immediately took action, and all five fishermen were subsequently located and brought on board. They were then given health checks and provided with clothes, food, and cabins.
According to the five, they had been heading from the Hall Islands to Chuuk Island, both part of Micronesia, on their 19-foot boat to sell dried fish. During the passage, the ship's engine developed problems and stopped. Strong, squally weather then teamed with a strong westerly current to cause their boat to drift away from land. Over the next five days, they drifted 140 nautical miles.
After the rescue, a patrol boat was sent out to meet up with Zeus Leader, and on May 26, all five survivors were transferred to the Federated States of Micronesia patrol boat FSS Palikir for their safe return home. Zeus Leader subsequently resumed its passage to Australia.