NEED TO KNOW

In 1988, five Costa Rican fishermen survived five months lost at sea

After being disabled by a storm that lead water to swamp the cabin, their fishing vessel drifted after running out of gas

A 20-day storm nearly wrecked their boat, but they would survive that — and far more challenges

Five Costa Rican fishermen survived what many would find impossible: five months lost at sea and over 3,600 miles covered, battling hunger, thirst, mental anguish, and nature.

The journey began in January 1988, when the men — Gerardo Antonio Obregado Obando, 33; Jorge Fernandez Castillo, 22; Pastor Lopez Rojas, 30; Joel Omar Gonzalez, 27; and Juan Cernas Bolivar, 47 — set out on their 29 1/2-foot fishing boat, Cairo III.

After being disabled by a storm that lead water to swamp the cabin,

See Full Page