Fisherman survives 95 days at sea by eating turtles

Maximo Napa Castro, a 61-year-old Peruvian fisherman, has been rescued after surviving 95 harrowing days adrift in the Pacific Ocean, relying on turtles, birds, and even cockroaches for sustenance.

His rescue marks a dramatic end to a journey that began on Dec. 7, 2024, when he set off from Marcona, a coastal town on Peru's southern coast, for what was intended to be a two-week fishing trip.

Ten days into his voyage, Castro encountered a fierce storm that sent his boat off course, leaving him stranded and with rapidly depleting supplies. His family initiated a search operation; however, efforts by Peru's maritime patrols were unsuccessful in locating him.

It was not until Wednesday that the Ecuadorian patrol vessel Don F discovered Castro, situated approximately 1,094km from shore. At the time of his rescue, he was dehydrated and in critical condition.

Throughout his ordeal, Castro managed to survive by capturing rainwater and foraging for food. In an emotional reunion with his brother in Paita, near the Ecuadorian border, he recounted how he subsisted on insects and birds before eventually resorting to eating sea turtles. Remarkably, the last 15 days of his ordeal were spent without any food.

Reflecting on his survival, Castro shared, "Thinking of my family, including my two-month-old granddaughter, gave me the strength to endure." He added, "I thought about my mother every day. I'm thankful to God for giving me a second chance."

His mother, Elena, expressed that while the family maintained hope during his disappearance, she had begun to lose faith as time passed.

Following his rescue, Castro received medical evaluation in Paita before being flown to Lima, the capital of Peru. There, he was greeted by his daughter, Inés Napa, in a heartfelt reunion at Jorge Chávez International Airport, where she welcomed him home with a bottle of pisco, Peru's national drink.

In Castro's home district of San Andrés in the Ica region, neighbors and family members decorated the streets to celebrate his return. His niece, Leyla Torres Napa, shared that the family planned to commemorate his birthday, which occurred while he was lost at sea. She stated, "The day of his birth was unique because all that he could eat [while at sea] was a small cookie, so it is very important for us that we celebrate because, for us, he has been reborn."