On Saturday, a Peruvian fisherman named Maximo Napa, aged 61, was released from the hospital after miraculously surviving 94 days adrift at sea. Napa had gone missing on December 7th when he set sail from San Juan de Marcona’s port. Due to inclement weather and strong currents, his small fishing boat, which lacked a radio beacon, was swept off course and ended up in the open sea.

He was eventually spotted and rescued by an Ecuadorian vessel off the coast of Chimbote in northern Peru on Tuesday. In a tearful interview with local media, Napa shared how he managed to survive by consuming cockroaches, birds, and a turtle. He admitted that his desire to see his mother and newborn granddaughter had motivated him to hold on to life.

Captain Jorge González from the Peruvian Navy mentioned that Napa was in good physical condition upon arrival at the hospital in Paita, a coastal city. He showed signs of shock but overall was fit enough to walk and take care of himself.

Ines Napa, the fisherman’s daughter, expressed her gratitude, calling her father’s rescue a miracle. She mentioned that despite the dire circumstances, her family never lost hope of finding him.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/16/peruvian-fisher-rescued-after-three-months-stranded-at-sea