Máximo Napa Castro, affectionately known as “Gatón,” is a Peruvian fisherman whose incredible survival story has captivated hearts around the world. Stranded at sea for 95 days, Napa’s survival was nothing short of miraculous, and he credits his unwavering faith in God for guiding him through the most harrowing ordeal of his life.
Napa’s journey began on December 7, 2024, when he set out to sea from Marcona, a coastal town in southern Peru. Expecting a routine fishing trip, Napa never imagined that his journey would end in the fight for his life. On December 17, as he attempted to return to shore, his boat’s engine failed, leaving him stranded 60 miles off the coast. By the time the New Year arrived, Napa had already exhausted his food supply. “I rationed my provisions, my water. One day I would eat, the next day I wouldn’t,” Napa recalled in his interview with “EWTN Noticias,” the Spanish-language edition of EWTN News. His situation quickly worsened as he drifted further from land.
Despite the terrifying circumstances, Napa’s faith never wavered. “I woke up praying. I slept praying,” he shared. “For almost two months, I don’t think I felt his presence. I thought, ‘Have you abandoned me? Why?’ And I cried, as you might expect. I cried a lot, because I knew the situation I was in.” In the face of hunger and despair, Napa continued to pray for survival, for his children, and for his mother.
By February, Napa had begun to eat whatever he could find, including birds and fish, which he believed God had sent to sustain him. “I know you sent me this fish. Thank you, Father,” he said. However, his troubles continued, and in a devastating moment, he was forced to throw away his entire catch of nearly 800 kilos of fish, worth over $7,000. “I tossed overboard my entire catch… money with which I also wanted to buy something for my mother,” he lamented.
In March, as his situation grew even more dire, Napa had a profound experience. After days without food or water, he encountered a tortoise. “I felt like my life was being restored. But throughout the whole process I was going through, I felt like he [God] was the one doing all of that,” Napa said, reflecting on the moment he drank the tortoise’s blood to stay alive.
As Napa’s strength continued to fade, he prayed once more for divine intervention. “I know you’re going to take me away in a helicopter or a small plane,” he said. The next day, on March 11, a helicopter appeared, and Napa believes it was a miraculous sign. “When I saw the helicopter… you did it. And when I saw Wilson [the helicopter’s co-pilot], he was right next to Jesus’ face, looking at me.” According to Napa, this was the moment he truly felt the presence of Jesus, and he immediately gave thanks. “I did it. You did it,” he cried. “Thank you, Father, for being with me.”
The miraculous rescue, which included Napa being transferred to an Ecuadorian fishing boat, left everyone in awe. Napa was eventually able to make a video call to his daughter, assuring her that he was alive. The crew of the boat, along with Napa’s family, believed the rescue was divinely orchestrated. As Napa’s sister Flor Napa Castro noted, “Maybe that’s why God chose him,” explaining that Napa’s kind and generous nature might have played a role in his miraculous survival. His brother Alberto echoed this sentiment, calling Napa a “warrior” for enduring such an ordeal. “I believe few people can make it through that journey and survive,” he said.
Napa’s testimony is one of deep faith, humility, and gratitude. Throughout his struggle, he never lost sight of God’s love and mercy, even when the situation seemed hopeless. In his interview, Napa remarked, “Thank you, Father, for being with me,” a sentiment that resonated with those who heard his story.
Today, Napa continues to recover, and though he’s faced hardship, including the loss of his boat and livelihood, his faith remains steadfast. “I want to do it with all the love God gave me,” he shared emotionally. Napa’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, perseverance, and prayer, even in the most desperate of circumstances.
Napa’s incredible survival, coupled with his reflections on the experience, is a testimony to the power of divine intervention and the strength of the human spirit when anchored in faith. His story is a reminder that even in moments of trial and tribulation, God’s presence is always near, offering hope and guidance when we need it most.
