Fisherman survives 94 days at Sea, Eats Birds, Turtles, and Cockroaches

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Monday, March 17th, 2025

Download this post as PDF

RKI Network
A Peruvian fisherman, Maximo Napa, 61, was found alive after drifting at sea for 94 days, the Peruvian Navy confirmed on Saturday. Napa was rescued on Tuesday off the coast of Chimbote, northern Peru, by an Ecuadorian vessel.
During his harrowing journey, Napa survived by eating birds, turtles, and even cockroaches. In an emotional interview, he shared that thoughts of his mother and two-month-old granddaughter kept him alive. “I didn’t want to die. Every day I thought about my mother,” Napa said.
Napa had set sail on December 7 from San Juan de Marcona, but bad weather and strong currents led him off course. His small boat, which lacked a radio beacon, drifted far into the open sea. After his rescue, Napa was admitted to a hospital in Paita, where he was reported to be in good physical condition. Peruvian Navy Captain Jorge Gonzalez described him as “shocked, but in good physical condition.”
Napa’s family, who never gave up hope, rejoiced upon his return. His daughter, Ines Napa, expressed immense relief, while his niece, Leyla Torres Napa, said they planned to celebrate his birthday, which occurred during his time lost at sea.
Napa’s remarkable survival follows a similar case in October when Russian Mikhail Pichugin was rescued after drifting for over two months. Napa’s story adds to the growing list of extraordinary tales of human resilience at sea.