Image Credit: AP
Mikhail Pichugin, 45, was discovered alive after 67 days at sea following an unsuccessful whale-watching trip on a Russian trawler. Reports state that he was adrift in a rubber dinghy, clinging to the bodies of his deceased brother and nephew from the same trip. In a video released by East2West Media Group, Pichugin, donned in an orange life jacket, signaled for help in the darkness and informed rescuers of his weakened state. The fishing vessel Angel responded to his distress call and brought him aboard after the nighttime rescue. Despite losing 50 kg, he is said to be in stable condition.
Initially mistaking Pichugin's small inflatable boat for debris, the crew decided to investigate further and were surprised to find him. He was promptly taken to an emergency care unit at Magadan Hospital, where he is being treated for dehydration and hypothermia among other conditions. Pichugin, along with his brother and nephew, had set out for the Shantar Islands in early August, renowned for whale-watching, but went missing on their return journey to Okha city on Sakhalin Island on August 9. A search and rescue operation was launched upon their family’s report of their disappearance, with no success after a month, prompting authorities to call off the search due to the inclement weather conditions.
According to RIA Novosti, the men had provisions for two weeks, warm clothing, life jackets, flares, and about five gallons of water. Their predicament was traced back to engine failure. The remarkable survival story of how Mikhail endured the harsh conditions of the Sea of Okhotsk is still shrouded in mystery.Fortunately, At escaped being caught in the storms and avoided the tragic deaths of his brother and nephew. Nonetheless, local media sources indicate that the deaths are being probed in a preliminary criminal investigation by the local prosecutor's office. Additionally, Mikhail could potentially be imprisoned due to Russian regulations prohibiting his boat from venturing beyond two nautical miles from the coast.
