Maximo Napa Castro, a 61-year-old fisherman, was rescued after 95 days adrift at sea. He survived on rainwater and scavenged food after strong winds had blown his vessel off course during a fishing trip. His family reported him missing, leading to an eventual rescue by an Ecuadorian boat. Castro was reunited with his family, sharing poignant stories of survival.
In a remarkable tale of survival, 61-year-old Peruvian fisherman Maximo Napa Castro was rescued after drifting at sea for nearly 100 days. His expedition began on December 7, when he departed from Marcona for a two-week fishing trip. However, strong winds placed him off course and led to a dire situation with dwindling supplies.
Castro’s family reported his disappearance after he did not return, prompting an unsuccessful search by the Peruvian Coast Guard. Eventually, on Wednesday, an Ecuadorian patrol boat located him in critical condition approximately 1,094 kilometers from shore, as reported by BBC.
Upon his return, Castro was reunited with his brother in Paita, a town situated about 400 kilometers from the Ecuadorian border. During his time adrift, he survived by drinking rainwater and foraging for food from the ocean.
In a press statement, Castro expressed his determination to survive, recalling that thoughts of his family fueled his will to live. “It was 95 days. I ate roaches, birds, the last thing I ate was turtles. I have a two-month-old granddaughter. I held onto her,” he disclosed.
Following his liberation, Castro received medical assistance in Paita before proceeding to Lima, where he reunited with his daughter at Jorge Chávez International Airport. She greeted him with a bottle of pisco, Peru’s national beverage. Castro’s niece, Leyla Torres Napa, mentioned that the family excitedly anticipates celebrating his birthday, which occurred during his perilous journey at sea.
The incredible survival story of Maximo Napa Castro highlights the resilience of the human spirit against adversity. After being lost at sea for 95 days, Castro’s determination and thoughts of family played a crucial role in his survival. His miraculous rescue and subsequent reunions with family serve as a beacon of hope and celebration in the face of tragedy.
Original Source: globalnews.ca
