Fishermen missing for three days have been rescued 100 miles west of Tarawa, Kiribati.

The Coast Guard said in a news release Friday the Republic of Kiribati asked for help in finding three fishermen missing on a 17-foot wooden skiff.

Chief Petty Officer Michael Martinez says launching an aircrew from Honolulu to Tarawa is vast and is similar to sending a fire truck to New York City to fight a fire in Los Angeles.

The search area covered was about 48 miles by 40 miles.

A South Korean fishing vessel spotted the fishermen Thursday afternoon.

The South Korean crew was transporting the fishermen back to Tarawa.

The rescued fishermen had 20 liters of fresh water but no food onboard.

The 17-year-old, 19-year-old and 27-year-old fishermen were in good condition.