Miraculous Rescue: Woman Swept Out To Sea Found After 37 Hours Adrift

July 12, 2024

A young woman, swept out to sea while swimming at a beach in Japan, has been rescued 37 hours later, having drifted more than 50 miles in the Pacific Ocean.

Identified only as a Chinese national in her 20s, the woman’s harrowing ordeal ended thanks to the combined efforts of Japan’s coast guard and two ships.

@JCG_koho / X

The dramatic rescue began after the woman’s friend reported her disappearance Monday night while they were swimming at Shimoda beach. It is believed she was swept out to sea by a powerful current. Japan’s coast guard launched an extensive search operation, scouring the waters for any sign of her.

Remarkably, about 36 hours later, a cargo ship spotted the woman adrift in the ocean. The ship immediately called upon a passing LPG tanker, the Kakuwa Maru No. 8, for assistance. Demonstrating incredible bravery, two crew members of the tanker jumped into the turbulent 6.5-foot waves to rescue her.

The crew members recalled shouting encouragement to the woman, urging her not to give up as she struggled to stay afloat. They tied a rope around her, and with the help of their fellow crew members, successfully pulled her to safety aboard the tanker.

She was then airlifted by a coast guard helicopter to shore.

AP / YouTube

Despite her ordeal, the woman was found to be in good health, though slightly dehydrated. Experts noted that she was extraordinarily fortunate to survive, considering the potential dangers of heat stroke, hypothermia at night, or even being struck by a ship in the dark.

Hidetoshi Saito, a senior member of the Society of Water Rescue and Survival Research, described the woman’s survival as "a miracle" during a televised interview.