After a terrifying and fatal experience at sea, Romualdo Macedo Rodrigues, a 44-year-old fisherman, somehow made it out alive.
He spent 11 days without food or drink drifting in a freezer in the ocean.
At the end of July, 44-year-old Romualdo Macedo Rodrigues was traveling on a 23-foot-long wooden boat from Oiapoque, in the northern Brazilian state of Amapa.
He planned to spend a few days fishing on the island of Ilet la Mere, which is located off the coast of French Guiana.
But then tragedy struck, as his boat started to sink and fill with water.
Due of his lack of swimming ability, Romualdo panicked and entered a freezer he had on board.
He said he had no food or water and lost more than 10lbs during his ordeal.
Romualdo told local media: ‘What troubled me most was the thirst.
‘I thought I was going to be attacked by sharks because there are lots of curious fish on the high seas.’
After 11 days, the crew of another boat located him and plucked him from the water near the coast of Suriname, which shares a border with French Guiana.
Romualdo said he was “born again” and that it was “the most meaningful day” of his life.
He said, “I noticed some noise and there was a boat over the freezer.”
Except they believed no one was there.
Then, as they gradually drew nearer and my eyesight started to dim, I said, “My God, the boat.”
I signaled for assistance by raising my arms.
It was estimated that he was saved some 280 miles from the location where his boat capsized.
Video taken on August 11 captures the amazing moment Romualdo was saved.
He suffered sunstroke, was dehydrated, lost his bearings, and his clothing were ripped.
Romualdo hadn’t eaten in days when his rescuers gave him water and cereal.
He stated to the local media that “this fridge was God” to him, a miracle.
Luis Carlos Porto, a police officer, described him as being quite weak but in excellent spirits.
His sun-related injuries, which were on his body, had already healed significantly.
“He claims he was extremely peaceful and in good condition, although he experienced visual difficulties from the severe heat, salt, and light.”
Romualdo received first aid as soon as he reached shore, but was thereafter detained by Suriname police for lack of proper papers.
According to reports, he was detained for 16 days before returning home to Belem in Para state, Brazil.
