Earlier this month, Marlow crew on board m/v Queen B retrieved a man who miraculously managed to survive at sea for 3 days in a floating cooler box after his boat sunk in a storm during the night.

Whilst sailing from the port of Coatzacoalcos in Mexico, enroute to Manatee in the US, Queen B crew spotted a person in the water, waving his arms for help. Immediate action was taken, with the general alarm activated, watchmen posted on the vessel’s wings and the main engine prepared for manoeuvres. The ship reduced speed and commenced turning, approaching the man at a safe speed. Once closer, the rescue boat was launched into the water to recover the man in the box.

The man was brought on board, given a medical examination, including Covid test, and provided with water, food, dry clothing and a separate cabin. The rescued man hardly spoke any English, but his name and basic details were ascertained. As it turns out, Erik of Mexican nationality spent some days drifting at sea in this box after his fishing boat GILBERT sunk in a storm. Erik was later returned home via the Mexican Maritime Search and Rescue authorities and to reunited with his wife Joana and family.

“On behalf of Marlow and all the staff of Marlow Germany, well done and big thank you to Captain Lytvynenko and his crew on board Queen B for performing their duty and rescuing a life in danger at sea. It is truly amazing, if not a miracle that Erik managed to survive in a cooler box for so many days at sea; that’s determination and courage. We wish him well and all the best.”