In an extraordinary tale of survival, 61-year-old Peruvian fisherman Maximo Napa Castro has been rescued after spending 95 days lost at sea in the Pacific Ocean.
Surviving on turtles, birds, and even cockroaches, Castro’s ordeal began on December 7 when he set off on what was supposed to be a two-week fishing trip from Marcona, a coastal town in southern Peru.
A Storm That Changed Everything
Just ten days into his journey, a violent storm blew Castro’s boat off course, leaving him adrift with dwindling supplies.
His family launched a desperate search, but Peru’s maritime patrols were unable to locate him.
It wasn’t until Wednesday that an Ecuadorian patrol vessel, the Don F, found him 1,094 kilometers (680 miles) from the coast. Dehydrated and in critical condition, Castro was finally rescued.
Surviving Against All Odds
Castro survived by catching rainwater in his boat and eating whatever he could find.
“I ate cockroaches and birds before resorting to sea turtles,” he recounted. His final 15 days were spent without food, relying solely on rainwater and sheer willpower.
“I thought about my family every day, especially my two-month-old granddaughter. I’m thankful to God for giving me a second chance,” Castro said during an emotional reunion with his brother in Paita, near the Ecuadorian border.
A Family’s Hope and Despair
Castro’s mother, Elena, admitted she had begun to lose hope during her son’s disappearance, despite the family’s optimism.
“We never stopped praying, but it was hard to stay positive,” she told local media.
After his rescue, Castro was taken to Paita for medical assessment before being flown to Lima.
At Jorge Chávez International Airport, he was greeted by his daughter, Inés Napa, who welcomed him home with a bottle of pisco, Peru’s national drink.
A Hero’s Welcome
In Castro’s hometown of San Andrés in the Ica region, neighbors and relatives decorated the streets to celebrate his miraculous return.
His niece, Leyla Torres Napa, revealed plans to celebrate his birthday, which passed while he was lost at sea.
“For us, he has been reborn,” Leyla said. “The day of his birth was unique because all he could eat was a small cookie. Now, we will celebrate his life like never before.”
A History of Miraculous Survival
Castro’s story echoes other incredible tales of survival at sea. In 2023, Russian fisherman Mikhail Pichugin was rescued after two months adrift in the Sea of Okhotsk.
Similarly, Salvadoran fisherman José Salvador Alvarenga endured 14 months lost in the Pacific Ocean, surviving on rainwater and turtles before being found in the Marshall Islands in 2014.
Maximo Napa Castro’s survival is a testament to human resilience and the unbreakable bond of family.
