Miraculous rescue: Costa Rican fishermen found alive after six days adrift
A harrowing story of survival reached a positive conclusion in the waters of the Panamanian Caribbean. Three Costa Rican fishermen, who had been missing since September 21st, were located alive and in stable condition after spending six days adrift due to a mechanical failure in their vessel.
The crew members were identified as Omar Dunkley Salazar, captain of the vessel, along with Erick Hernández Madriz and Dexter González Presida. The three men, residents of the Limón province, had set sail aboard the artisanal panga named El Cosmo, with the goal of carrying out a fishing trip near the border with Panama.
Technology as a lifesaver
The ordeal began when the boat’s engine failed, leaving the fishermen at the mercy of the sea currents, which dragged them southward. During the days of uncertainty, the group constantly tried to get a phone signal. Fortune changed when one of them managed to connect to a Panamanian mobile network, which allowed them to make a crucial call to the 9-1-1 emergency system.
One of them picked up a signal from the Panama side and called 9-1-1, and that was how they tracked them.
Ronald Hernández Madriz, relative of one of the rescued.
Binational search and rescue operation
Following the alert, the National Aeronaval Service of Panama (Senan) deployed a major operation that included a patrol boat, an aircraft, and more than 20 agents. The discovery occurred approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Colón, where the fishermen were found facing extreme weather conditions.
- Effective coordination: The rescue was possible thanks to the cooperation between the Costa Rican National Coast Guard Service and the Panamanian authorities (Senan and Senafront).
- Medical attention: The crew members, aged 39, 44, and 41, were transported to the Almirante Cristóbal Colón Naval Air Base to receive immediate pre-hospital care.
- Return home: After being stabilized, their land transport to the border was coordinated so they could reunite with their families in Limón.
This successful operation underscores the importance of binational collaboration in maritime security. Despite six days of exposure to the sun and the harsh conditions of the sea, the three friends have managed to survive, closing a high-tension chapter for their loved ones in Costa Rica.
