Adrian Vazquez, an 18 year old Panamanian teenager, survived 28
days on a boat adrift in the Pacific Ocean was rescued a few days
ago just off the Galapagos islands, appoximately 800 miles, or
1,250 km away.
Vazquez drifted on the Panamanian current, which flows from
Central America southwards, looping towards the Galapagos
islands. It's likely that his path was even longer than
the 800 miles. This same current is also responsible
for bringing over marine species to the islands - many fish and
marine invertebrates are common to both Galapagos and the west
coast of Central America.
Dozens of people welcomed Adrian Vasquez,
18, in Panama City's airport on Tuesday.
The teenager and two friends left on a
fishing trip on February 24 and were heading back to Rio Hato when
the boat's motor failed.
Vasquez indicated that his friends died
within three weeks. He was rescued on Friday by fishermen who found
his boat off the Galapagos Islands.
