Two women say they thought they would die until being rescued after nearly five months drifting helplessly across the Pacific.
Jennifer Appel, (left), and Tasha Fuiava on the USS Ashland Photo: US Navy
The US Navy last week rescued Jennifer Appel and Tasha Fuiava, who were drifting about 1600 kilometres southeast of Japan.
The pair had left Hawaii, aiming to be in Tahiti by May, but initially ran into trouble when their engine flooded and then they strayed off course.
Last week a Taiwanese fishing vessel spotted their 15 metre boat and contacted authorities on Guam.
The USS Ashland then collected the sailors and their two dogs from the stricken vessel.
Ms Appel told the US Navy the situation had been depressing and hopeless until they saw the Ashland coming over the horizon.
"It was like, oh God, we've been saved. It was the most amazing feeling because we honestly did not believe that we would survive another 24 hours in the current situation.
"We had no idea what to expect," said Ms Appel.
