Afrigather A sailor was rescued by the Colombia’s navy after what he mentioned was a 24-day ordeal through which he solely had a bottle of ketchup and a few seasoning to eat.
Elvis Francois, 47, a nationwide of Dominica, mentioned in a video launched by the navy that he spent 24 days with no sight of land earlier than his rescue within the Caribbean Sea.
“I’ve no meals. It’s only a bottle of ketchup that was on the boat. Garlic powder, and Maggi,” he mentioned, referring to a seasoning. “So, I blended it up with some water.”
Francois was rescued about 120 nautical miles northwest of the division of La Guajira, which is on the northeastern tip of the nation, the navy mentioned in a press release Wednesday.
He had written “assist” on the hull of the boat, which was noticed by air, the navy mentioned.
Francois was taken to Cartagena for medical care, and officers will assist him get again dwelling, the navy mentioned.
In video launched by the Navy and distributed by information companies The Related Press and Reuters, Francois tells medical employees he’s doing OK.
“Twenty-four days, no land. No one to speak to. Don’t know what to do. Don’t know the place you’re. It was tough,” he mentioned within the video. “A sure time, I lose hope. I take into consideration my household.”
Francois mentioned he was repairing his sailboat and was swept out to sea by a present off the island of St. Martin within the Netherlands Antilles, the place he lives.
Francois mentioned within the video he tried to return to port, however could not, and he tried to name buddies however misplaced service. “There was nothing else I may do than sit down and wait,” he mentioned.
He used a fabric to gather rainwater, Cmdr. Carlos Urbano Montes instructed the AP. Francois was picked up by a service provider ship.
