On August 9, 2024, Mikhail Pichugin, his brother Sergei, and Sergei's son Ilya embarked on a journey from Mys Perovsky in Khabarovsk Krai, aiming to reach the Okha District of Sakhalin Oblast. They set sail on an inflatable catamaran with limited supplies, including a week's worth of food and 20 liters of drinking water. Contact was lost shortly after their departure, prompting a search and rescue operation that lasted over a month, but was ultimately deemed unsuccessful by authorities.
On October 14, the fishing vessel Angel spotted the missing boat in the Sea of Okhotsk, leading to the rescue of Mikhail Pichugin, the only survivor. Mikhail was found severely emaciated, having lost approximately 50 kg during his ordeal, and was in a critical state of dehydration. He survived by collecting rainwater and consuming soaked cereals and peas.
The Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office has initiated a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the three individuals. The investigation will focus on potential violations of maritime operation rules that may have contributed to the deaths of Sergei and Ilya. Lawyer Irina Zui emphasized the importance of determining whether the watercraft was properly maintained, as negligence could lead to criminal liability.
- Mikhail's wife, Ekaterina, expressed her relief upon learning of her husband's survival after 66 days of uncertainty. Despite the grim situation, she maintained hope due to the absence of any recovered belongings or the boat itself.
- The investigation will seek to clarify the operational status of the catamaran and whether any maintenance issues contributed to the tragedy. If the investigation finds no fault with the vessel, it may be concluded that the incident resulted from unfortunate circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions.
- The tragic incident highlights the dangers associated with maritime travel in remote areas, particularly when adequate safety precautions and supplies are not ensured.
