In 2012, Mexican fisherman José Salvador Alvarenga set out on what was meant to be a routine two-day fishing trip with 22-year-old crewmate Ezequiel Córdoba. When storm clouds gathered, the pair made a fateful decision to remain at sea rather than return early with a smaller catch. The storm intensified, battering their small boat for days and eventually disabling the engine. Although they managed to radio their employer for help, the device lost power before rescue could arrive. Strong currents pushed them far into the Pacific Ocean, leaving them stranded and drifting with limited supplies. To survive, they relied on raw fish, turtles, and rainwater. After roughly 10 weeks, Córdoba became severely ill and passed away, leaving Alvarenga alone in the vast ocean with grief, isolation, and dwindling hope.

Amazingly, Alvarenga survived 438 days at sea before washing ashore on Ebon Atoll, thousands of miles from where the ordeal began. His survival story later became the subject of the book 438 Days, drawing global attention. However, the aftermath brought unexpected controversy when Córdoba’s family filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million, alleging wrongdoing related to their son’s death. Alvarenga firmly denied any misconduct, stating the two men had made a pact to preserve each other’s dignity no matter what happened. Legal experts noted that, under certain circumstances, survival actions taken out of necessity may be viewed differently in court. Alvarenga even underwent a lie detector test to support his account. What began as a desperate fight for survival ultimately turned into a complex legal and emotional battle long after he returned to dry land.