Photos show three stowaways rescued from oil tanker helm after supposedly 11-day ordeal

Barcelona — Spanish maritime rescue services say they have rescued three stowaways at the helm of a vessel in the Canary Islands after the vessel left Nigeria. The man, who was found aboard the oil tanker Alisini II in the port of Las Palmas, appeared to be dehydrated and hypothermic and was transferred to an island hospital for medical attention. Salvamento Maritimo said.

The Maltese-flagged vessel left Lagos, Nigeria on 17 November and arrived in Las Palmas on Monday, according to the website of MarineTraffic, which tracks the vessel.

Although extremely dangerous, this is not the first time stowaways have been spotted at the helm of a merchant ship heading to the Canary Islands.

Last year, a 14-year-old Nigerian boy was interviewed by Spanish newspaper El Pais after surviving two weeks at the helm of a ship. He also left Lagos.