After more than three months alone in the Pacific, Máximo “Gatón” Napa Castro says prayer—and a diet no one would choose—kept him alive.
Castro, 46, set sail with provisions for 30 days. When his motor died, the Peruvian fisherman faced 65 more days with nothing but scraps of food, a leaky water jug and his unshakable will to see his family again.
How the Peruvian fisherman rationed food and water after his motor failed
First came strict rationing: fish that flopped into the boat, a single bottle of water sipped sparingly, and a silent promise to last “one more sunrise.” But supplies vanished fast. So what would you do when hunger claws? Castro grabbed whatever nature offered—cockroaches skittering across the deck, unwary seabirds that landed at 2 a.m., and even turtle blood when the canteen ran dry. This is the survival menu at sea:
- Cockroaches: crunchy, plentiful protein
- Flying fish: easy pickings when they jumped aboard
- Seabirds: hunted with a makeshift club at night
- Turtle blood: emergency hydration when fresh water was gone
“Calm down, Gatón,” he repeated whenever despair set in. That mantra mattered as much as the meager calories.
Why faith and thoughts of family sustained Gatón through 95 harrowing days
Castro told CNN he spoke to God daily, pleading for another chance to hug his mother, brother and children. Faith replaced breakfast; memories became dinner. Yet even hope wavered—three times he held a knife, tempted to surrender. Nevertheless, each dawn lit a fresh resolve: You can do it.
| Day | Key challenge | Inner response |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Motor failure | “Ration everything.” |
| 60 | Food gone | “Eat what the sea allows.” |
| 80 | Water empty | “Draw strength from prayer.” |
| 95 | Rescue sighted | “You did it!” |
Tables turn, literally—on day 95 a helicopter voice shouted, “Gatón!” signaling salvation.
Step‑by‑step account of the rescue that ended the months‑long ordeal at sea
Moments before dusk, Castro heard rotor blades, then a rescuer calling his nickname. He waved frantically. Gestures from above promised a pickup vessel. About an hour later, navigation lights pierced the dark horizon; home was finally on the way. Sensational? Absolutely. Consequential? Without question.
So, what’s next for the man who dined on roaches? Castro vows to share his story worldwide, reminding us that love—and a stubborn heartbeat—outlast the fiercest ocean. Beloww, a takeaway:
- Keep emergency gear maintained; a stalled motor can cost lives.
- Cultivate mental resilience; it may prove as vital as provisions.
- Never underestimate the power of faith and family ties.
After 95 grueling days, Castro steps ashore with a renewed appreciation for life and a message of compassion for us all.