Maximo Napa Castro, a 61-year-old fisherman, embarked on what was planned to be a two-week fishing expedition from the coastal town of Marcona on December 7. However, his journey took an unexpected and harrowing turn. Castro was discovered in the Marshall Islands in early 2014, having survived an arduous 95-day ordeal at sea. During this time, he subsisted on rainwater and turtles, along with cockroaches and birds before resorting to turtles for nourishment.
His last two weeks adrift were especially challenging, as he endured without food. On Wednesday, he was finally rescued by the Ecuadorian patrol vessel Don F, approximately 1,094 kilometers (680 miles) from the coast. At the time of his rescue, Castro was found to be severely dehydrated and in critical condition.
Upon being rescued, Castro was promptly transported to Paita for a medical assessment. Following this, he was flown to Lima, the Peruvian capital, where he experienced an emotional reunion with his daughter, Inés Napa, at Jorge Chávez International Airport. The streets of his home district of San Andrés were adorned with decorations by his family to celebrate his remarkable return.
"I thought about my mother every day. I'm thankful to God for giving me a second chance," Maximo Napa Castro expressed upon his safe return.
His niece, Leyla Torres Napa, shared that they planned to commemorate his missed birthday with a special celebration.
"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," she explained.
Castro credited the thought of his family, including his infant granddaughter, as his source of strength throughout the ordeal. His story is one of resilience and survival against overwhelming odds.
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