Russian Man Rescued After 67 Days Adrift—A Harrowing Tale of Survival
A 46-year-old Russian man, Mikhail Pichugin, was miraculously rescued after spending 67 days adrift in a small inflatable boat in the stormy Sea of Okhotsk.
Pichugin was found by a fishing vessel crew 1,000 kilometers from where he, his brother Sergei, and his nephew Ilya had set off to see whales in early August.
Tragically, Sergei and Ilya did not survive the journey, and their bodies were found in the boat alongside Mikhail, who had lost over half his body weight and was barely 50 kilos when rescued.
The family’s boat lost its engine shortly after leaving Cape Perovsky, leaving them stranded with only enough food for two weeks as they tried to reach Sakhalin Island.
Pichugin’s rescue came after the fishing crew mistook his boat for a buoy on their radar but were shocked to find him alive, emaciated, and pleading for help.
Mikhail was rushed to a hospital in Magadan, suffering from dehydration and hypothermia but in stable condition. His wife called his survival a miracle, noting their daughter had planned to join the trip but stayed home.
Authorities are investigating potential violations of safety laws that may have contributed to the tragic deaths of Sergei and Ilya, examining the boat and the circumstances surrounding the journey.
Mikhail Pichugin’s harrowing 67 days adrift is a heartbreaking tale of survival and loss, with a criminal investigation now underway to uncover the full story.