Foreign news agencies reported on January 19, 2023 that Mr. Elvis Francois, a man from Dominica Island incaribbean sea 47 years old, received help from the Colombian Navy. After he sailed for 24 days in a sailboat, he said that He survived by eating only ketchup.
The news said Francois’ ship was found in Colombian waters. About 120 nautical miles off the coast of Porto Bolivar, in the northwestern part of the country, his boat has the word ‘Help’ engraved on it.
Mr. Francois said It all started when he repaired the merchant schooner in the harbor of the island of St. Maarten in the Caribbean. In December last year, however, the weather suddenly deteriorated and the boat with him was thrown out to sea.
“I don’t have any food. There were only bottles of ketchup, garlic powder and soup cubes on board. So I mix it together with water. To survive 24 days at sea,” François said in English in a video released by the Colombian Navy.
Mr. Francois said that While floating aimlessly He saw many ships passing by. and tried to call those boats He even set fire to the ship but no one saw it. while he had to bale the water to keep the boat from sinking before a plane flew past to meet him and inform the NavyColombia
“On the last day, about Jan. 15, I saw the plane, I had the mirrors, I used it to signal,” Mr Francois said. “They flew past the boat twice and I realized they saw me. I thank them for keeping me alive today.”
Colombian authorities have handed Francois over to immigration. And will continue to send him back to his home country