A Russian man has been saved from the stormy Sea of Okhotsk after enduring over two months in a small inflatable boat that lost its engine. Tragically, his brother and nephew did not survive, as officials reported on Tuesday.
Rescue Operation Off the Kamchatka Peninsula
The prosecutor’s office in Russia’s far east confirmed that the man was rescued on Monday by a fishing vessel near the Kamchatka Peninsula. While the authorities did not disclose the survivor’s name, reports from Russian news outlets identified him as Mikhail Pichugin, 46. In early August, he embarked on a trip to observe whales in the Sea of Okhotsk with his 49-year-old brother and 15-year-old nephew. Their bodies were found in the boat during the rescue operation conducted by the Angel fishing vessel.
Journey to the Shantar Islands
According to media reports, the trio traveled to the Shantar Islands off the northwestern shore of the Sea of Okhotsk. They went missing after departing for Sakhalin Island from Cape Perovsky in the Khabarovsk region on August 9. Although a search operation was initiated, it was unsuccessful in locating them initially.
It was reported that Pichugin, his brother, and his nephew had only a small supply of food and approximately 20 liters (5.2 gallons) of water when their engine failed, leaving them adrift.
Condition Upon Rescue
When rescuers found Pichugin, he weighed about 50 kilograms (110 pounds), having lost nearly half his body weight during his ordeal. The fishing vessel crew first spotted the small inflatable boat on their radar, mistaking it for a buoy or debris. Upon closer inspection with a spotlight, they were shocked to discover Pichugin.
While Pichugin did not immediately share how he survived in the harsh conditions of the Sea of Okhotsk—known for its cold temperatures and strong winds—or the circumstances surrounding his brother and nephew’s deaths, reports indicated that the crew discovered their bodies tied to the boat to prevent them from being swept away by the sea.
Location and Condition After Rescue
At the time of his rescue, Pichugin’s boat was drifting about 11 nautical miles off the Kamchatka coast, roughly 1,000 kilometers (about 540 nautical miles) from where they had originally set out. A video released by the prosecutor’s office captured the emotional moment as a frail Pichugin, wearing a life jacket, shouted, “come here!” as the crew worked to pull him to safety.
“I have no strength left,” he stated during the rescue.
Investigation Launched
In light of the tragedy, prosecutors have initiated an investigation into the incident, focusing on possible violations of safety regulations that may have contributed to the deaths. Following his rescue, Pichugin was transported to an emergency care unit at Magadan hospital. The chief doctor, Yuri Lednev, reported that he was suffering from dehydration and hypothermia but was in stable condition.