Maximo Napa Castro, a 61-year-old fisherman, survived for 95 days adrift at sea after setting off on a two-week fishing trip. He was eventually rescued by an Ecuadorian patrol boat and reunited with his family in Lima, Peru, after enduring critical conditions and living on minimal sustenance. Castro attributed his survival to thoughts of his family, particularly his granddaughter.
Maximo Napa Castro, a 61-year-old Peruvian fisherman, had a harrowing experience as he was lost at sea for 95 days. He embarked on a solo fishing trip from Marcona on December 7, expecting it to last two weeks. However, strong winds diverted his course, and he soon found himself alone with limited resources.
After Castro failed to return home, his family reported him missing to the Peruvian Coast Guard. Despite efforts, authorities could not locate him until an Ecuadorian patrol boat discovered him in critical condition approximately 1,094 kilometers from shore.
Upon his rescue, Castro shared that he subsisted on rainwater and any food he could capture, including insects and birds. He stated, “It was 95 days. I ate roaches, birds, the last thing I ate was turtles.” Despite his ordeal, thoughts of his family, particularly his mother and granddaughter, motivated him to fight for survival.
Following his health assessment in Paita, Castro was transported to Lima, where he joyously reunited with his daughter, who greeted him with a bottle of pisco. The family expressed anticipation for celebrating Castro’s birthday, which occurred during his time at sea.
Maximo Napa Castro’s exceptional survival story underscores the resilience of the human spirit. After enduring 95 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean, he triumphed against overwhelming odds, relying on rainwater and scavenged food. His reunion with family highlights the emotional impact of such harrowing experiences and the joy of reunification after survival against the odds.
Original Source: globalnews.ca