Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
The last year in Jose Salvador Alvarenga's life has been particularly difficult. As he
gingerly walks into a room to face the media, only he knows what really happened at sea.
The fisherman had apparently been drifting for around 14 months in the Pacific Ocean,
having been blown off course while on a shark fishing trip. He was washed ashore on the
Marshall Islands last week and took this opportunity to thank the government in Majuro.
I'm thanking the government of this place for supporting me. My friend, my friend. They
gave me support. Thank you for looking after me. I'm feeling better now. No more.
There could have been a second person sat here, as Alvarenga told authorities a teenage
fisherman had been on the boat with him. But died a month into their ordeal. The 37-year-old
says he survived by drinking turtle blood and catching fish and birds with his bare
hands. Doubt has been cast on the details of his experience but when asked more about
it, the door was closed.
Shawn, can you have him tell us how he survived so long?
I don't think we are taking questions right now. He's not willing to talk too much right
now. He has to get back for his medical check ups.
Alvarenga has been receiving treatment for dehydration and it's hoped the more he recovers,
the more we'll find out about the trauma he suffered at sea.