61-year-old rescued after being lost at sea for 95 days: Here’s how he survived

When he set out to go fishing from his native place in December last year, little did Maximo Napa Castro think that it would be a journey of his life and that once he was back, he would be a viral sensation. The 61-year-old Peruvian fisherman set sail from Marcona port in his country for a month-long journey to harvest fish roe (eggs). However, his boat's engine failed within two weeks, and he was adrift. What followed is a tale of survival. 

Maximo carefully rationed his food supplies as he wasn’t sure when he would return home; he even reduced his food intake to save the supplies. He collected rainwater for drinking. But Maximo was sure that he wouldn’t be able to survive like this for longer. Weeks and months went by and Maximo lost his hope that a ship or a helicopter would come to rescue him. After running out of food, he ate the cockroaches in the boat or the birds and the turtles that he occasionally caught. He drank their blood to quench his thirst when the rains became scarce. Maximo says that he thought about his mother to gain the courage to survive each day. He states that his firm belief that he wouldn’t die without seeing his beloved mother and children had helped him survive this ordeal.

The rescue
After 95 days, on March 12, a boat owned by the Ecuadorian government that was hunting for tuna in the seas spotted Maximo’s boat. They were shocked to see a man onboard, who was reduced to just bones and skins without eating food or drinking water. Maximo had reportedly eaten nothing for 15 days before he was rescued. Meanwhile, his relatives, who had believed that Maximo was dead, were overjoyed to see him. The Ecuadorian boat that spotted Maximo swiftly alerted the authorities, and he was airlifted to the Peruvian coast. Maximo arrived on land, after 95 days, to a grand welcome arranged by his family and relatives. Social media is lauding this 61-year-old fisherman for his incredible courage and endurance.  The Caribbean Island of San Andres, Maximo’s native land is rejoicing that he has returned after the scintillating ‘adventure’ at sea.

Surviving on the sea
There are many instances of people surviving on the sea for days, either after vessel malfunctions or due to natural calamities. According to the Maritime Injury Centre, an organisation that assists in maritime accidents and injuries, survivors should hydrate carefully if ever stranded at sea. They can attempt to get fresh water from rain, collect it, and save it. It's better to avoid eating until they can get water. As for food, survivors can try catching fish, turtles or sea birds, drinking their blood to hydrate, and eating the animals. They should also find as many ways to signal for help, make their vessel noticeable and look for signs of land, like shallow or clear water and the presence of seabirds and vegetation.