They survived for nine months on raw fish, seagulls and sea turtles and by collecting rain water in empty gasoline containers. Water was scarce during the first month, as it didn't rain, but then when winter came, cold front after cold front brought clouds and rain which may have saved their lives.
The two other companions refused to eat the raw meat and starved to death, one in January 2006 and the other one in February 2006. They were watched for three days each, then, after a prayer was said over them, they were tossed overboard.