Or is it a beat up?
www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/how-did-this-man-survive-16-months-at-sea/news-story/10a0d3af6f6eb9366a3c1942ac7a93a8

I guess it is possible. Stranger things have happened.

I remember 20 odd years ago reading the front page of The Courier Mail with a story about a guy in his 80s was found at Port Clinton just north of Yeppoon. He had run out of food and had little water but he had an open sail boat about 16 ft long with a sail made from flour sacks or whatever.

The guy just dropped out during the depression years and had been sailing up and down the Queensland coast for 40 odd years and was completely "off the radar".

A few fishermen knew about him and gave him supplies now and then. They (the authorities) "rescued" him and put him into "care".

"They" should have just given him some supplies and a bit of equipment and let him go on doing what he was happy to do.

His legs look thin in the photo

There but for the grace of God go thee and me.

Just update
Jos? Alvarenga big welcome in Salvador. Confirmed 13 month across Pacific.
Beached on EBON Island, Marshall archipelago.

Still looks skinny to me. Face looks OK but the arms and legs look frail. The first photos of him showed a puffy face with very thin legs. I would believe it.

Latest update, he's back home

www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/castaway-reveals-he-could-have-been-saved-months-earlier/news-story/29ca92ccebd4a391f90f1278b7d05e3c

Ramona said..
He is just the sort Of bloke I would prefer as company if I was ever in that situation.

I hear what you're saying but it's not a guarantee, as it didn't help his young companion that started the trip with him.

He is just the sort Of bloke I would prefer as company if I was ever in that situation.


How do you know he wouldn't eat you?

If you can get a copy get "Survive the Savage Sea" by Dougal Robertson. It is one of the best accounts of survival at sea from a yacht. The family's survival is greatly enhanced through maintaining an active approach to being rescued, as opposed to sitting back waiting for someone to find you. A good read too.
I have a quite large collection of boat books. I've read them all but am going to start on them again now I am retired.