Message in a bottle helps the Navy to rescue six castaways in the state of Pará

Their vessel “Bom Jesus”, Good Jesus, could not weather the storm, but miraculously went aground on Ilha das Flechas, about 150 km from Belém, capital of the state of Pará. While waiting for more favorable conditions for departure, a fire spread in the vessel’s kitchen, and she sank.

Two of the castaways, Joelson Silva da Costa and Jeferson Santos, had the idea of putting a message in a bottle, tying it to a fishing buoy thrown into the ocean current. On the island, they managed to survive by recovering food from the wreck and drinking rainwater.

Fishermen on land found the message and alerted the local authorities. The Navy sent a helicopter and located the crew on the island’s beach, where they had been able to make shelter with pieces of canvas recovered from the vessel, keeping them safe for days.

They were brought to Belém and taken to a health center. Despite widespread dehydration, none of the crew were injured. An emotional Jeferson Santos sums up the joy of being rescued safe and sound: “With the strength of God and the Brazilian Navy we (…) were found. Amen"