Rescued Fisherman Recounts Harrowing Ordeal After Canoe Drifted at Sea for Nearly Two Weeks
A Ghanaian fisherman who survived a terrifying ordeal at sea has recounted how he and six other crew members struggled to stay alive after their fishing canoe suffered an engine failure and drifted for nearly two weeks before they were rescued.
The seven fishermen were travelling aboard a canoe named Second Chance, which departed from Sekondi on October 9, 2026, for a fishing expedition towards Axim in the Western Region.
Their trip reportedly took a dangerous turn when the canoe’s outboard motor developed a fault, leaving the crew unable to navigate back to shore. With no reliable means of propulsion, the fishermen were carried further offshore by ocean currents and strong winds.
One of the rescued fishermen, Kwame Akyim, told TV3 that the canoe drifted more than 120 nautical miles from the coast, leaving the men in an increasingly difficult situation as they tried to survive in open waters.
As the ordeal continued, the crew reportedly faced severe shortages of food and drinking water. The fishermen were said to have spent more than a week without a proper meal, forcing them to depend on fish they caught while waiting for help.
Their access to safe drinking water also became a serious concern. According to accounts of the incident, the men resorted to boiling seawater in an attempt to obtain water they could drink. They also tried using canvas to help move the canoe, but their efforts did not immediately bring them to safety.
The fishermen’s situation highlighted the dangers faced by people who depend on small fishing vessels without adequate emergency equipment or reliable communication systems.
For the crew, the uncertainty of drifting at sea for days without knowing when help would arrive added to the physical challenges of hunger, thirst and exposure to the elements.
The search for the missing fishermen eventually led to their discovery in waters off Benin. Reports indicate that local fishermen and maritime authorities played important roles in locating the canoe and coordinating the rescue.
The operation involved cooperation among authorities in Ghana, Togo and Benin, reflecting the importance of regional collaboration when maritime emergencies occur beyond national coastal waters.
Following their rescue, the seven fishermen were transferred to Ghanaian naval personnel. They were reported to be in good condition and received food, drinking water and medical attention.
Their safe return brought relief to their families and fishing communities, who had been concerned about their whereabouts after the canoe failed to return as expected.
The incident has also drawn attention to safety challenges within Ghana’s artisanal fishing sector. Small fishing canoes often operate far from shore, where engine failure, rough seas and limited communication can quickly turn routine fishing trips into emergencies.
Improved access to reliable distress-signalling equipment, vessel-tracking technology and emergency supplies could help authorities locate fishermen more quickly when problems arise at sea.
The rescue operation has renewed calls for stronger maritime safety measures and greater awareness among fishing crews about emergency preparedness before embarking on long trips.
For the seven men aboard Second Chance, the experience was a frightening reminder of how vulnerable fishermen can become when mechanical problems leave them stranded far from land. Their survival and rescue underscore the importance of preparedness, effective communication and timely assistance during maritime emergencies.
Watch the video below:
One of the seven fishermen rescued by maritime authorities has disclosed that after exhausting their food supplies, they were forced to break off parts of their fishing vessel and set fire to them to cook fish they caught at sea.
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— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) October 22, 2026
Source: Thepressradio.com
