Atafu Teens Drift 1,300 Kilometres

In 2010, three Tongan boys in their early teens stole a small aluminum fishing boat after a sports day in Atafu, Tokelau, in the South Pacific, planning to sail out at night to find a girl they had seen at the event. They took no charts, compass, or real supplies, and a storm and currents pushed them hopelessly off course into the open Pacific, where they drifted for more than seven weeks.

With no fresh water and almost no food, they survived by drinking rainwater, rationing a few beers, and eating coconuts and a single seabird they managed to catch. After 50 days at sea and about 1,300 kilometers from home, a New Zealand tuna boat spotted their wrecked craft, hauled the emaciated but alive boys aboard, and flew them back to Tonga.

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