Woman adrift at sea rescued after 37 hours, found 50 miles away
Japan Coast Guard Vessel Sailing Into Port; Toba Mie Japan. (Philippe Widling/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A Chinese woman who was swept out to sea while swimming at a beach in Japan was rescued 37 hours later after drifting on an inflatable ring more than 50 miles away in the Pacific Ocean, officials said on Thursday.
When did she go missing?
Japan’s coast guard received a call about the woman, only identified as a Chinese national in her 20s, on Monday night from her friend who said she had disappeared while swimming at Shimoda which is about 125 miles southwest of Tokyo.
How did it happen?
It is believed that the woman was likely swept out to sea by a current and an evening seaward wind from the mountains.
Since she was floating on an inflatable ring, it may have been more difficult for her to move against the wind, experts said.
Who found her?
The woman was spotted by a cargo ship early Wednesday.
A passing LPG tanker, the Kakuwa Maru No. 8, was asked to assist and crews from both ships jumped into the sea to rescue the woman, according to officials.
Crew members of the tanker who helped in the rescue told TV Asahi that they shouted to the woman not to give up as she bobbed up and down in waves that were about 6.5 feet-high.
One crew member said everyone was relieved the woman survived, even though she seemed to be exhausted.
She was airlifted by helicopter to land by Japan's coast guard once they arrived.
What was her condition?
The woman was slightly dehydrated but was in good health and walked away after being examined at a nearby hospital, the officials said.
The coast guard said she was lucky to have survived despite the danger of heat stroke, hypothermia at night or being hit by a ship in the dark.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.