Mariner rescued after 2-month ordeal at sea

HONOLULU – A Colombian fisherman who was lost at sea for more than two months said he’s grateful to God for his life and thanks those who rescued him.

The Colombian navy’s press office Thursday identified the survivor as Javier Eduardo Olaya. He and his three shipmates – who were from Ecuador – had been fishing near the protected marine sanctuary of Malpelo Island, off the coast of Colombia, the press office said.

The 29-year-old told a U.S. Coast Guard interpreter in Honolulu that it felt good to be back on land.

“He thanks the people that picked him up, for rescuing him. He says again he’s very thankful to God,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Simey Luevano, who interpreted for Olaya during a short interview filmed by the Coast Guard. “And the hope that his faith gave him and his mother.

“And he feels very bad for what happened to his friends that he was on board with. He would have loved it if his friends from the boat would have been here with him,” Luevano said as he interpreted for the fisherman.

Olaya said he survived the ordeal by eating fish and seagulls, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

He said his three companions died at sea, but their bodies were not aboard the vessel that was adrift in a lightly traveled expanse of the ocean. He did, however, have the men’s passports.

A Colombian navy official said their 23-foot vessel was never reported lost. The navy said the skiff was also never registered at a Colombian port as required.