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Russian Man Rescued After 67 Days Adrift in the Sea of Okhotsk Shares Harrowing Survival Story

Russian Man Rescued After 67 Days Adrift in the Sea of Okhotsk Shares Harrowing Survival Story
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MOSCOW — A Russian man, Mikhail Pichugin, 46, has shared the harrowing details of his 67-day ordeal adrift in the frigid Sea of Okhotsk. Rescued by a fishing vessel earlier this week, Pichugin recounted how he survived extreme conditions while mourning the loss of his brother and nephew, who tragically perished during the ordeal.

Pichugin had set sail on August 9 with his 49-year-old brother and 15-year-old nephew to enjoy a day of whale watching. However, their adventure turned into a nightmare when the engine of their small inflatable boat failed on their return journey.

Efforts by emergency services to locate the trio in the days following their disappearance were unsuccessful. Stranded in the middle of the vast sea, Pichugin’s brother and nephew both succumbed to the elements, leaving Pichugin alone to fight for survival.

After his nephew's death from hypothermia and hunger in September, Pichugin took the heartbreaking step of tying their bodies to the boat, desperate to keep them from being lost to the sea.

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The boat was discovered nearly 1,000 kilometers (540 nautical miles) from its original departure point, approximately 11 nautical miles off the coast of Kamchatka.

A Fight for Survival

Speaking from his hospital bed, Pichugin detailed the grueling conditions they faced. The boat's engine had given out, and to make matters worse, one of the oars broke, rendering the boat uncontrollable. Without access to a network, their onboard phone was practically useless, though they managed to use it for geolocation during the first week.

However, after the phone and power bank batteries died, they lost even that small connection to the outside world. Attempts to attract attention with the few flares they had also failed.
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"We saw a helicopter fly past us, and three days later another one came, but they didn't see us," Pichugin shared during an interview broadcast on Russian state television.

Struggling Against the Cold

The trio’s food supplies were minimal. Surviving on a small stockpile of noodles and peas, they made desperate attempts to catch fish, but their efforts yielded little. Collecting rainwater became their only means of staying hydrated, and the bitter cold further tested their resolve.

"There was a sleeping bag made of camel wool, but it was soaked and never dried," Pichugin recalled. "You had to crawl under it, wiggle around a bit, and try to generate some warmth."
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Despite the dire situation, Pichugin survived thanks to sheer determination. His brother, weakened by hunger and exposure, started acting irrationally and, at one point, tried to jump off the boat. Tragically, both his brother and nephew passed away during the long weeks of waiting for rescue.

A Remarkable Rescue

After nearly 10 weeks adrift, a fishing vessel finally spotted Pichugin’s boat, rescuing him from the seemingly endless sea. Pichugin attributed his survival to his faith, quietly stating, “I had no choice but to survive—I still have my mother and daughter waiting for me at home."

Upon being brought to safety, Pichugin was admitted to a hospital in Magadan, where doctors treated him for dehydration and hypothermia. Although weak, his condition is reported as stable, and he is expected to recover.

This incredible story of survival against all odds highlights the strength of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable hardship.