Pilot spots stranded Inuvik boaters' 'S.O.S.', sun reflection

A passing airplane, police and the coast guard rescued a group of people who were stuck out on the land by the Mackenzie River.

The group had been travelling between Inuvik, N.W.T., and Aklavik, N.W.T., on Canada Day when their boat broke down. The group managed to reach a cabin, but were stranded there for three days. The group was reported missing July 3.

They managed to flag a passing plane by using some old-fashioned methods: they used a mirror to flash sunlight in the pilot’s eyes and they painted a huge 'S.O.S.' signal on the roof of the cabin.

The reflection from the mirror caught the attention of passing North-Wright Airways pilot Tim Szaefer. He said at first, he thought it was a prank but quickly realized it wasn’t.

"When I saw the S.O.S., I knew exactly what it was. But I actually didn’t see the S.O.S. until I was almost overhead the cabin. It was actually, whoever was using the mirror to shine a light — that was the thing that got my attention. Otherwise I never would have seen it from how far away I was," he said.

Szaefer said the light must have been reflecting from four to five miles away. He said when he flew closer, he saw six or seven people waving their arms at him. He said he rocked his wings to let them know that he was going to get help.

The RCMP and the local Coast Guard Auxiliary went to the location and brought everyone back safely.

"To my knowledge they were in good shape, a little hungry, a little weather-beaten, a little bug-bitten, but overall no worse for wear," said RCMP Sgt. Peter Pilgrim.

Police later learned that the travellers had not told others where they were headed and they did not bring a spot locator with them.