Marshall Islands Castaway: ‘One Of The Best Survivalists Around’

A 37-year-old fisherman who went missing over a year ago has been rescued, having survived on a diet of raw birds, turtles blood and fish.

Jose Salvador Albarengo, originally from El Salvador, set off an a fishing expedition more than a year ago when his ship was struck with bad weather and high winds.

As a result, Albarengo went way off course and ended up stranded and alone on a remote island. Following his dramatic rescue, he needed assistance from a male nurse who helped him down the gangplank of the police boat which had rescued him.

As Albarengo doesn’t speak any English, translators were on hand to interpret the course of events which led him to the remote island. He gave over the information about his ordeal via pictures and hand gestures.

The Marshall Islands immigration chief, Damien Jacklick, said his office was working to repatriate Albarengo:

“With the help of the US ambassador, we were able to obtain information on his family members in El Salvador and the United States. We hope this information will help us track down his family,” he said.

U.S Ambassador, Thomas Armbruster, spoke to NBC News about Albarenga: “He has gone through an ordeal, that’s clear,” he continued that:

“If he did survive on fish and turtles and birds he did a pretty good job of keeping himself fed. He has a story that can be verified so those are the next steps to find out when he left Mexico and then add up the evidence and the information he has provided. But certainly if what he is saying is true, he is one of the best survivalists around.”

His brother Carlos Orellana said that he and his family had hoped the man found was Albarengo: “For a long time, we heard nothing about him. Nobody knew what happened to him. Everybody is so surprised. Everybody is so happy. But we need to find out more.”