Peruvian Fisherman Rescued After 95 Days Lost at Sea

 

By Elvis Lagat 

A Peruvian fisherman, Máximo Napa Castro, was rescued after an astonishing 95 days lost at sea in the Pacific Ocean, surviving against all odds. Castro, 61, was found hundreds of miles off the coast of Peru by crew members of an Ecuadorian tuna boat, who spotted his small, stranded vessel. His miraculous survival has captured the attention of many, highlighting his resilience and the power of human will to live.

Castro departed from the Peruvian port of Marcona on December 7, planning a fishing expedition in search of "paa," a species of fish eggs. Armed with a month's worth of food, he set off alone, unaware that his journey would soon take a dramatic turn. On the 13th day of his trip, disaster struck when the engine of his boat failed. Stranded in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Castro was left without any means of communication or assistance.

With no help in sight, he had to quickly adapt to the harsh conditions. Castro rationed his remaining food and relied on rainwater to survive. However, as the days turned into weeks and his supplies dwindled, he resorted to eating whatever he could find, including birds, cockroaches, and even sea turtles, drinking their blood to stay hydrated.

In an emotional interview after his rescue, Castro tearfully recounted the hardships he faced. "I ate ravens, birds, I ate sea turtles, I didn't want to die. My mother is alive, and I said I don’t want to die because of my mother. I also have a 2-month-old granddaughter. I held onto that," he said through tears. His thoughts of his mother and his granddaughter were his driving force to keep going, even as he struggled with isolation and despair.

Castro’s family, meanwhile, endured an agonizing wait, uncertain of his fate. His daughter, who described the emotional toll the ordeal took on their family, said, "We never lost hope or faith. We believed that eventually, we would find my father." The family even enlisted local fishermen to search for him, though those efforts proved unsuccessful.

After nearly three months at sea, Castro was finally spotted by the crew of an Ecuadorian tuna boat, who immediately contacted authorities. A Peruvian Coast Guard helicopter transported him to a Navy ship, where he received much-needed medical attention. Despite his weakened state, suffering from dehydration and sunburn, Castro’s survival against all odds is being hailed as a remarkable story of human endurance.

Castro’s incredible journey has left the community in awe, offering a ray of hope even in the darkest of circumstances. He is now recovering, grateful to be alive, and reunited with his family, who feared the worst but never gave up on their loved one.

March 18, 2025