Image credit: Associated Press (AP)

This is the incredible tale of Mikhail Pichugin, 45, who was discovered alive after 67 days following the engine failure on a disastrous whale-watching trip aboard a Russian trawler. According to local media accounts, Mikhail was found on a rubber dinghy, clinging to the bodies of his deceased brother and nephew from the ill-fated expedition. In a video released by East2West Media Group, he is shown wearing an orange life jacket, signaling for help in the darkness and informing rescuers of his extreme weakness. Once rescued at night, Mikhail was brought on board the fishing vessel Angel by its crew. Despite losing 50 kg in weight, he is said to be in stable health.

Initially, the fishing vessel mistook the small inflatable boat for debris or a buoy. Fortunately, they decided to investigate further and, to their surprise, discovered Pichugin. He was swiftly taken to an emergency care facility at the Magadan hospital. Reports indicate that he is suffering from dehydration and hypothermia, but is otherwise stable.

Mikhail, along with his 49-year-old brother and 15-year-old nephew, set off to the remote Shantar Islands in early August, a popular whale feeding location off the northwest coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. However, they disappeared during their return journey to the city of Okha on Sakhalin Island on August 9. Following the family's report of their disappearance, local authorities initiated a search and rescue operation. After a month of searching without success, the operation was called off, assuming that survival amidst the stormy conditions was unlikely.

According to the Russian state-run RIA Novosti news agency, the men had taken provisions for two weeks, warm clothing, life jackets, flares, and around five gallons of water with them. The cause of their stranding at sea is believed to be engine failure.

The details of how Mikhail managed to survive in the freezing waters of East Asia and the conclusion of the story remain unknown.Fortunately, At survived the storms that claimed the lives of his brother and nephew. Local media reports indicate that the local prosecutor's office has initiated a preliminary criminal investigation into the deaths. Additionally, Mikhail could potentially be sentenced to jail time, as Russian law prohibits his boat from venturing more than two nautical miles from the shore.