Puerto Ayora, Ecuador — Five fishermen, adrift for 55 days in the open ocean, were rescued Saturday by a tuna vessel and brought to safety at a Galápagos port. The men, three from Peru and two from Colombia, had been unaccounted for since mid-March when their fishing trip took a disastrous turn.
The ordeal began shortly after they departed from Pucusana Bay, located south of Lima. The crew reported issues with their boat’s alternator just two days into their journey. According to Ecuadorian Navy sources, this malfunction resulted in the loss of crucial communication and navigation systems, leaving the fishermen without power.
“They had no starter, lights, or any electrical supply,” said María Fares, a captain in the Ecuadorian Navy. The situation forced the men into extreme survival mode. They resorted to drinking rainwater and seawater, and when opportunity arose, they caught fish to eat by parboiling what they could manage under dire circumstances.
The fishermen were ultimately spotted and rescued by the Ecuadorian vessel Aldo on May 7. Following their recovery, the navy reported that all five men are in stable condition. Efforts are currently underway to facilitate their return home, with local and international authorities collaborating to ensure a safe journey back to Peru and Colombia.
This incident echoes a previous survival tale earlier in the year, when 61-year-old Peruvian fisherman Máximo Napa was rescued after being alone at sea for 95 days. He had also been saved by an Ecuadorian boat and made a heartfelt return to Lima to reunite with his family.
While such harrowing experiences are alarming, they highlight the unpredictable nature of sea travel and the resilience of those who rely on the ocean for their livelihoods. The Ecuadorian Navy remains committed to enhancing safety measures for fishermen, emphasizing the need for reliable equipment and communication tools to prevent similar incidents in the future.