José Salvador Alvarenga
José Salvador Alvarenga is a Salvadoran fisherman and author known for surviving 438 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean after a fishing trip that began in late 2012.
José Salvador Alvarenga is a Salvadoran fisherman and author who survived 438 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean after a fishing trip that began in late 2012. He was found in January 2014 on the Marshall Islands, and his story is documented in the book *438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea*.
What it is
José Salvador Alvarenga is known for one of the longest recorded survival ordeals at sea. He left on a fishing trip from Chiapas, Mexico, on 17 November 2012, and was lost in the Pacific for 438 days before being rescued on 30 January 2014 in the Marshall Islands.
Key details
Born around 1975 in El Salvador, Alvarenga worked as a fisherman before his ordeal. After his rescue, journalist Jonathan Franklin turned interviews into the book *438 Days*. Alvarenga is also described as an author and has given interviews about his experience.
Why it matters
Alvarenga's survival story is widely cited as one of the most remarkable ever documented at sea. It has broad international recognition, including in English-language media and book publishing accessible to Canadian readers.
In short
- Survived 438 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
- Found on 30 January 2014 in the Marshall Islands.
- Story documented in the book *438 Days* by Jonathan Franklin.
His story has broad international recognition and has been covered in English-language media and book publishing accessible to Canadian readers.
Quick questions
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Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Salvador_AlvarengaSupports: Birth year, nationality, occupation, 438-day survival story, discovery date, and book by Jonathan Franklin.
- Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Salvador_AlvarengaSupports: Starting point from Paredón, Chiapas, Mexico; 14 months adrift; rescue in the Marshall Islands; book reference.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26148287Supports: Reporting on his return after being found in the Marshall Islands.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-26041727Supports: Reports on Alvarenga discussing his ordeal and survival at sea.
- HarperCollins/Amazon listing — https://www.amazon.com/438-Days-Extraordinary-Story-Survival/dp/0062276578Supports: Book title and authorship for *438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea*.