Jose Ivan: Castaway Heads Home After 16-Months Adrift [Video]

Jose Ivan reportedly spent 16 months adrift in the Pacific Ocean. The castaway said he and his companion left Mexico in September 2012. Although they intended to sail to El Salvador, they eventually became hopelessly lost. Last week, Ivan and his heavily damaged boat landed in the Marshall Islands. Ivan apparently drifted more than 8,000 miles from his intended destination.

Researcher Ola Fjeldstad was conducting studies on the island when Ivan was found. He said the man’s 22-foot fiberglass boat was damaged and looked like it had “been in the water for a long time.” Fjeldstad said the man’s hair and beard were quite long and he was “dressed only in a pair of ragged underwear.”

As he did not speak the local language, communication with the castaway was difficult. Fjeldstad, who speaks limited Spanish, was able to provide some details about Ivan’s harrowing journey. The castaway said he and his companion survived by capturing birds, fish, and turtles, by hand. Although they drank rain water when it was available, at times they were forced to drink turtle blood.

Jose Ivan spent the weekend with a local family, who provided him with food, water, and clothing. On Monday, he was transported to Marshall Islands capital Majuro. Although he is currently being treated at Majuro hospital, US ambassador Thomas Armbruster had a chance to speak with the castaway.

Armbuster said the castaway looked “better than one would expect.” Through an interpreter, Ivan revealed he is 37 years old and his full name is Jose Salvador Albarengo. He said he and his companion were shark fishing when the boat went off course during high winds.

The castaway said his companion, named Xiquel, was between the ages of 15 and 18. He said the boy starved within weeks, as he was unable or unwilling to consume raw meat.

Damien Jacklick, Marshall Islands chief of immigration, said he is in the process of gathering information. He said foreign affairs will work with the US ambassador to identify and locate the man’s family.

As reported by Yahoo News, the shrimp and shark fisherman said he simply wants to go home. He said he is still confused about what happened:

“I feel bad… I am so far away. I don’t know where I am or what happened.”

Authorities are still interviewing Jose Ivan to determine exactly when he left Mexico and what happened during his journey. They hope to reunite the castaway with his family as soon as possible.

[Image via Flickr]