On December 25, his sailboat was dragged by the currents from the island of Saint Martin, within the Netherlands Antilles. He solely drank the water that condensed on the sails and in a sack After his rescue, the medical examination licensed his good well being, however a noticeable weight reduction
The Colombian Navy has rescued a castaway who claims he has survived 24 days in his drifting boat on nothing however ketchup, garlic powder and Maggi bouillon cubes.
According to the assertion launched by the Colombian naval pressure, the epic of Elvis Francois, 47, started on December 25 on the island of Saint Martin, within the Netherlands Antilles, the place he lives. Francois was finishing up repairs on the engine of his small sailboat when currents and swells dragged the boat out to sea.
When he realized that he had misplaced management of the boat and had no probability of returning to land, the navigator tried to make use of the radio with out success. “I referred to as my associates, they tried to contact me, however I misplaced the sign. There was nothing to do however sit and wait.”
From the air, the situation of the sailboat in emergency was established, which had the phrase “HELP” (Help) engraved on its hull.
Units on land and sea had been notified, the place the service provider ship CMA CGM VOLTARIO joined the rescue effort.#ProtegemosLaVida ⚓ pic.twitter.com/DSGZU6fdeK
– Colombian Navy (@ArmadaColombia) January 18, 2023
And that he did: he sat down and waited. One day after one other. The surprising journey stunned him with an empty pantry. He solely discovered a bottle of ketchup on board, a little bit of garlic powder and some cubes of meat broth. He didn’t have water, so he needed to hydrate himself with what little he may acquire from the condensation that shaped on the sail of the boat and in a sack, in keeping with what Commander Carlos Urbano Montes has narrated.
What he did discover was a approach to write the letters ‘assist’ on the candle. The existence of this message reached the Santa Marta station in Colombia, which issued a discover to the ships that had been within the space to return to the rescue. It was a service provider ship that discovered the broken sailboat 120 nautical miles from the La Guajira peninsula. Once protected, Francois was transferred to the port of Cartagena (Colombia).
“There got here a time once I misplaced hope,” mentioned Francois, who discovered energy within the reminiscence of his household in order not to surrender. “I thank the coast guard. If it weren’t for her, I would not be telling this story,” he defined.
The Colombian officers who obtained him ashore affirm that his well being was good, however that the 24 days at sea had taken a toll on his weight. Now, Elvis Francois is again residence, after present process a medical examination and after resolving the immigration procedures.
The castaway should wait some time earlier than going to sea, since his sailboat was left deserted within the place the place the castaway was rescued.