Speaking through a translator, Turii Akau, 47, Tentoa Auatabu, 62, and Pastor Kakai Berekeman 29 said they left Nonousi Island for neighboring Tapiteuea Island, which is about an hour by boat, on Dec. 5 after attending a funeral.
On their way back at about 3 p.m., they experienced rough seas.
“We were caught up in the middle of the disaster till nightfall and we could not do anything,” Pr Berekeman said.
“At the break of dawn, we found that we were in the middle of nowhere; no land but only ocean. Our food and water could only last us for five days,” he said.
For the remaining days at sea, the trio survived on drinking their urine and saltwater.
“I told the other two that our only hope was God and if He decided that we die, we just have to trust him,” he said.
On Boxing Day, Dec. 26, Akau spotted a fishing vessel. He said they tried to attract the ship for help but it was to no avail.
“With the little fuel left, we used it to travel to the ship and that was when we were rescued. We thank God because without him we will already be dead,” Pr Berekeman said.
The men were rescued by the fishing boat, Zhong Tai 1.
They are expected to return to Kiribati after all their visas are processed in Fiji.
