Quito, Ecuador — A group of five fishermen, consisting of three Peruvians and two Colombians, arrived safely at the Galapagos Islands on Saturday after enduring 55 days at sea. The Ecuadorian Navy confirmed they were rescued by a tuna fishing vessel.
These fishermen had been reported missing since mid-March and were eventually located on May 7 aboard an Ecuadorian boat named Aldo.
According to the Navy’s updates, the crew had experienced alternator issues just two days into their trip departing from Pucusana Bay, situated near Lima, the capital of Peru.
Colonel Maria Fales from the Ecuadorian Navy explained that they faced shortcomings in both their communication and navigation equipment, which contributed to their predicament. She added that the vessel was lacking in power.
“They didn’t have functioning starters or lights—basically, everything the batteries typically managed,” she noted. To stay alive, the fishermen resorted to running around to catch any passing fish and used rusty water from the engine for sustenance. They also collected rainwater and drank seawater when necessary.
Healthwise, the survivors stated they were stable after being checked by Navy officials. The Navy is now collaborating with local and international authorities to facilitate the fishermen’s return home.
This incident recalls an earlier case this year, where a 61-year-old Peruvian fisherman spent 95 days lost at sea before being rescued by an Ecuadorian ship. He finally returned to Lima in mid-March to reunite with his family.
