Adrift for 23 Days – 'Never again'
by Fiona Govan/BW Media on 7 Apr 2008
The intended route - from Cadiz in Spain to the Canary Islands SW
How would YOU feel if you had spent more than three weeks adrift in the ocean? Earlier this year two Israeli pleasure sailors drifted in a life raft in the Indian Ocean for 11 days after losing their boat, but said later they would be back on the water 'as soon as possible'.
But two Spanish fishermen lost at sea for more than three weeks after their engine failed have vowed never to set sail again. Jose Quevado, 61, and Cristo Herrera, 70, were rescued on Friday after 23 days adrift in the Atlantic.
They had set off from Cadiz, south-western Spain, on a four-day voyage to the Canary Islands. But within hours of leaving, the engine failed on their 33ft boat, the radio failed and they could not get a mobile phone signal.
A Moroccan fishing boat drew up on the first day but its occupants turned out to be thieves who stole their phones.
The pair were reported missing on March 15 after one of Mr Quevado's children called his mobile and got through to an Arabic speaker, sparking fears he had fallen into the hands of pirates.
Mr Herrera attempted to steer the boat for the Canary Islands hoping to be spotted by passing vessels. The pair shouted, waved sheets and even set off flares, but to no avail. They were finally rescued by a Cypriot merchant ship 160 miles south of Tenerife.
After eating his first proper meal in a month, Mr Herrera said: 'I will never set sail again. Never.'
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