Maximo Napa Castro, a Peruvian fisherman, was rescued after drifting at sea for 95 days. He survived by consuming rainwater and scavenging food. Initially reported missing, he was located by an Ecuadorian patrol boat over 1,000 kilometers from shore. Following his rescue, he reunited with family and received medical care in Lima.
A 61-year-old fisherman named Maximo Napa Castro was rescued after spending nearly 100 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean. He had embarked on a two-week fishing trip from Marcona, Peru, on December 7, but bad weather caused his boat to veer off course.
Castro’s family reported him missing to the Peruvian Coast Guard after he failed to return, but initial search efforts were unsuccessful. Eventually, an Ecuadorian patrol boat located him in critical condition approximately 1,094 kilometers from shore.
Upon rescue, Castro shared his survival story, stating he relied on rainwater and whatever creatures he could catch, including turtles and birds. His motivation came from thoughts of his family, especially his two-month-old granddaughter.
After receiving medical care in Paita, he was flown to Lima, where he had an emotional reunion with his daughter, who welcomed him with a bottle of pisco. Castro’s niece, Leyla Torres Napa, expressed excitement for celebrating his missed birthday that occurred during his time at sea.
Maximo Napa Castro’s harrowing experience at sea highlights his resilience and the power of familial bonds. His survival strategy involved inventive means of sustaining life through rainwater and sea creatures, illustrating the human spirit’s tenacity. The reunion with his family emphasizes the emotional ties and hope that can drive survival in dire circumstances.
Original Source: globalnews.ca
