Somewhere on the tiny atoll of Fakaofo is the face that launched a tiny outboard-powered dinghy.

Three lovesick teenage boys rescued after 50 days adrift on the South Pacific have reached dry land, gaunt, ill, and lucky to be alive. Samuelu Peleha – also known as Sam Perez – and Filo Filo, both 15, and Etueni (or Edward) Nasau, 14, disappeared from Tokelau's Atafu Island on October 5 when they sailed off to a neighbouring atoll looking for love.

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Locals said a sports competition was hosted by the boys' atoll, Atafu, in October. Among the visitors was a girl from neighbouring atoll Fakaofo, who captured the eye of one of the boys.

She sailed home after the tournament, and after midnight, emboldened by alcohol, they decided to take the island's newest small boat and visit her 200km to the south.

They had a couple of sacks of coconuts, some beer and a fuel tank.

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They drifted 1300 kilometres off course and survived on a few coconuts and a seagull before the tuna boat San Nikunau picked them up. They arrived at the Fiji Navy base in Suva yesterday and had to be helped ashore.