In a remarkable tale of survival, five fishermen who endured 55 days lost at sea were finally brought to safety on Saturday when they reached a port in the Galapagos Islands, thanks to a rescue operation by a tuna fishing vessel. This rescue effort was confirmed by the Ecuadorian navy. The group, comprised of three Peruvian and two Colombian fishermen, had been untraceable since mid-March until their surprising recovery on May 7 by an Ecuadorian ship named Aldo.
The ordeal began when the fishing group’s boat, which had set sail from Pucusana Bay, located south of Lima, Peru, experienced critical malfunction just days into their journey. According to the Ecuadorian navy, the issue stemmed from the failure of the boat’s alternator, which subsequently led to the breakdown of communication and navigation systems. Speaking on the grave situation, Frigate Captain Maria Fares explained the fishermen were left powerless, unable to operate essentials like the starter and lights.
Faced with grim circumstances, the fishermen had to make do with the resources available to them. They managed to survive by improvising and making use of rusted engine water and catching any fish that happened by, which they would parboil for sustenance. Rain and sea water also became their primary sources of hydration.
Currently, the fishermen are reported to be in a stable condition, and steps are being taken in coordination with local and international authorities to facilitate their safe return to their respective homelands. This recent incident echoes a similar story from earlier this year when 61-year-old Peruvian fisherman Máximo Napa survived an astonishing 95 days at sea before being rescued by an Ecuadorian vessel and eventually reuniting with his family in Lima.