They were shipwrecked in the Caribbean and survived 33 days on a desert island eating rats, coconuts and snails.

Two men and a woman had already lost track of the days after their ship sank on a desert island between Florida and Cuba. More than a month, they stayed there, be able to survive on a diet consisting of coconuts, snails and rats.

When the three Cubans’ boat sank in the Caribbean Sea, they swam to Anguilla Cay, where they spent 33 days before being contacted and rescued by the US Coast Guard.

The uninhabited island, with rocky soil and palm trees and shrubs, is part of an atoll in the Bahamas that is close to Cuba. The place is frequently inspected by the United States, as it is one of the transit routes for Cubans fleeing their country and trying to reach American soil.

Lt. Riley Beecher, a Coast Guard pilot, said on a routine mission Monday that they saw what appeared to be flags fluttering over the island’s generally brown and light green topography.

“I thought, ‘Let’s take a closer look’. I have never seen anything on this island, ”said Lieutenant Beecher. “Then I saw two people frantically waving their hands trying to shoot us down“.

The Coast Guard flew over the island and dropped supplies and a radio to communicate. On Monday, another crew returned to drop off more food. One of the pilots, Lt. Justin Dougherty, said the woman had low blood sugar and was given packets to bring her levels back to normal.

“They looked really, really relieved,” he said after being discovered and offered supplies. “They had lost track of what day it was“.

According to Dougherty, the castaways were kept hydrated by coconuts and with the meat of snails and rats they could feed themselves. It could have been worse if they hadn’t found palm trees or if it was warmer.

“I was surprised they could survive so long and sound so consistentSaid Dougherty. “Hydration was the most important aspect.”

They were rescued Tuesday morning and transferred to the Lower Keys Medical Center without serious injuries.

US authorities have arrested the three Cubans who are at a federal facility in Pompano Beach, Florida, the Coast Guard said. Immigration officials have not said whether they will be deported.

It is not clear, according to information from authorities, whether the three people were trying to make their way to the United States or simply got lost at sea. A similar case occurred in October 2020, when a larger group Cubans were stranded for 10 days on a beach in Cay Sal Bank, not far from Anguilla Cay.

“It’s not every day that you find three people stranded for 33 days on an island,” Lt. Beecher said. “Seeing the relief on their faces when you’ve given them hope is quite amazing and rewarding.“.

With AP information

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

Tonga Miracle: The Story of Six Boys Who Survived a Shipwreck in the Middle of the Pacific Alone

The tragedy of migrants in the Mediterranean returns: a shipwreck off the Libyan coast has left at least 74 dead

Shipwreck of migrant boat in Chocó kills at least five