TARAWA, KIRIBATI | TUNGARU PRESS | October 28, 2026
A group of Kiribati fishermen has rescued an 18-year-old man from Papua New Guinea after he spent 41 days drifting across the Pacific Ocean in a small fishing boat.
The survivor, identified as Luka Rahan, was found alone and severely dehydrated on Tuesday afternoon in waters between Tarawa and Maiana, approximately 2,000 kilometres from where his journey began.
Rahan is now recovering in hospital in Tarawa after being brought ashore by the fishermen who discovered him.
His rescue has brought relief to his family in Papua New Guinea, although the ordeal is also marked by tragedy following the reported death of his cousin at sea.
Fishing Trip Turns Into 41-Day Ordeal
Rahan and his cousin had departed from their home in northern Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, on a fishing trip last month.
However, their journey took a dangerous turn when their boat's engine developed mechanical problems.
Without an anchor to secure the vessel, the pair were unable to prevent it from drifting.
Ocean currents eventually carried their boat thousands of kilometres across the Pacific towards Kiribati.
According to ABC News, Rahan's cousin is understood to have died at sea approximately one week before the rescue.
Details about how the two survived during their time adrift have not yet been fully established.
Kiribati Fishermen Discover Survivor
The ordeal ended when local fishermen spotted Rahan's boat between the islands of Tarawa and Maiana.
They found the teenager alone and suffering from severe dehydration after more than five weeks at sea.
The fishermen brought him to safety, and he was subsequently taken to hospital in Tarawa for medical attention.
The rescue highlights the vital role local fishing communities can play in responding to emergencies in Kiribati's vast surrounding ocean.
Rahan is receiving treatment and regaining his strength as arrangements are considered for his eventual return to Papua New Guinea.
Fellow Papua New Guinean Offers Support
Jonathan Anthony Kunau, a Papua New Guinean engineer working in Tarawa, visited Rahan in hospital after learning about the rescue.
Kunau said he felt a responsibility to support his fellow countryman while he recovered far from home.
“That is why I have to go down and check and make sure that he's well,” Kunau told ABC News.
“He's from my country. I need to be there for him, make him to feel at home, at ease.”
Kunau said his visit was intended to provide reassurance during a difficult time.
“It's just moral support. He needs to get well soon,” he said.
He also helped local authorities and healthcare workers communicate with Rahan by providing translation assistance.
According to Kunau, the teenager was responsive and gradually recovering his strength.
Kunau was also able to contact Rahan's immediate family in Papua New Guinea to inform them that he had survived.
He said the family was “grateful” to learn that Rahan was safe and receiving medical care.
Second Major Rescue Involving Bougainville Fishermen
Rahan's rescue is the second reported incident in about a month involving people from Bougainville drifting across the Pacific and being found in Kiribati waters.
In an earlier case, three people from Nissan Island survived approximately 70 days at sea before being rescued.
The three later returned to Papua New Guinea.
They told ABC News that they had survived by eating raw turtle meat and cocoa during their ordeal.
The two incidents have highlighted the dangers faced by people travelling in small boats across the Pacific, particularly when vessels experience mechanical failures far from land.
Safety Reminder for Pacific Fishermen
Following the latest rescue, Kunau encouraged fishermen to carry basic emergency equipment whenever they travel at sea.
He recommended that boats be equipped with a compass, an anchor and a mobile phone to help crews navigate, secure their vessels and seek assistance if problems arise.
For fishermen travelling beyond mobile coverage, an appropriate marine emergency communication device can provide an additional means of calling for help.
The latest incident is a reminder of how quickly a routine fishing trip can become a life-threatening emergency in the Pacific Ocean.
Survivor Recovering in Tarawa
Rahan remains in hospital as he continues recovering from dehydration and the physical effects of his prolonged ordeal.
His eventual return to Papua New Guinea is expected once he is medically fit to travel and the necessary arrangements have been made.
While the reported loss of his cousin has cast a shadow over the rescue, Rahan's survival has brought hope to his family and community.
For Kiribati, the rescue is another example of local fishermen helping save lives in the Pacific, where communities are often the first to respond when people are lost at sea.
Tungaru Press | Local Voices, Global Stories.
