Five fishermen missing since mid-March were rescued last week after surviving 55 harrowing days adrift in the Pacific Ocean. The Ecuadorian navy confirmed the three Peruvian and two Colombian men were discovered on May 7 by the tuna boat Aldo, hundreds of miles from land.
The fishermen had set sail from Pucusana Bay, south of Lima, Peru, before their boat’s alternator failed just two days into the voyage. According to the Ecuadorian navy, the breakdown knocked out the vessel’s communication and navigation systems, leaving the crew stranded without power.
“They had no starter, lights and everything that a battery generates,” said Ecuadorian navy Frigate Capt. Maria Fares. Without proper equipment or supplies, the men relied on extreme survival tactics. “They had to take rusted water out of the engine,” Fares added. “When a fish passed by, they caught it and parboiled it to eat.”
The crew also consumed rainwater and small amounts of seawater in a desperate bid to stay hydrated. Despite the harsh conditions, the men were found alive and in stable condition. The Ecuadorian navy said it is working with authorities in Peru and Colombia to ensure the fishermen’s safe return home.
This latest rescue follows another recent survival story in the region. Earlier this year, a Peruvian fisherman was found alive after 95 days adrift, surviving on roaches, birds, and sea turtles.
The ordeal highlights the dangers of deep-sea fishing and the resilience of those who brave it. “To survive, they had to rely on the sea and sheer will,” said Capt. Fares.
