Stowaways survive perilous 14-day Atlantic crossing perched above ship’s rudder

Four stowaways who survived a 14-day crossing of the Atlantic perched above a cargo ship’s rudder have given details of their perilous journey.

The men hid onboard the ship in Nigeria believing it would be sailing for Europe. They were shocked to realise two weeks later that they had arrived at Vitoria, a port in southeastern Brazil, after their 5,600km (3,500 miles) ordeal.

To prevent themselves from falling into the water, the men had rigged up a net around the rudder and tied themselves to it with a rope. After ten days at sea, they ran out of food and drink. They resorted to drinking their own urine to survive.

Roman Ebimene Friday, said his journey began on June 27, when a friend rowed him up to the stern of the Liberian-flagged Ken Wave, in Lagos, and left him by the rudder. He was both surprised and frightened to find three other men already there, waiting for the ship to depart. He feared they might push him into the water.

During the journey he said he saw sharks and whales following the ship. He also said all the men were constantly worried they might be spotted by the crew of the ship. “We taught ourselves never to make a noise,” he said.

[Thebabsdt]

How sad that people have to resort to stowaway like this

[thalenjourney]

😢😢😢 God is good all the time because of God's guidance they are still alive God bless this two people ❤❤❤

[MrEdjob]

No money to leave.. No money to live in Europe then...

[giulianogermeno]

Very strange how could they tyravel for two weeks on the rudder, when the propeller is on forced waves foam reach the total height of the rudder, not mentioning just a bit of choippy sea, I don't think is ever possible to remain

[zaneleposh]

Looks like a movie, I'm shocked. People are suffering 💔

[mellie]

No money, no passport, ok then...that is the mindset of many of them. Sad.

[chunkyfecalbreakfast]

“Two of the men have since returned to Nigeria”
Atop another rudder, not on a plane, no doubt.

[hifijohn]

Meh, I do this all the time, Im too cheap to buy a plane ticket.

[mohdzaki]

Every cargo ships facing these stowaway in africa

[royalroyal]

Lord Jesus, please have mercy on your children 🙏🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

[mrswavee]

These Africans love Russia. They should go there.

[RebeLDronE.]

Wow was it ever that hard for the immigrant pilgrims on the mayflower to reach a better life😢?

[RebeLDronE.]

Not only are these republicans cold hearted but not very bright, there is a little space compartment above the shaft of the rutter 😢