this is as far as I know a genuine news story - I certainly remember it being reported at the time:
mum keeps 16 boat people alive
A mum kept fifteen desperate boat people alive for nearly two weeks by breastfeeding them.
Eight men and seven women took turns to sip from Faustina Mercedes?s milk as they drifted helplessly in choppy, shark-infested seas under a blazing sun.
Faustina, 31, who has a year-old daughter, hit on the desperate solution when water ran out as the refugees tried to flee the poverty-stricken Dominican Republic for wealthy Puerto Rico.
She said, "I prayed to God, then told my sister, Elena, to try my milk."
Elena, 24, was immediately revived and fed Faustina by holding the milk in her mouth and giving it back to her in a "kiss".
Faustina said, "We both felt better, so I offered my milk to everyone.
"They took turns to have small sips, just enough to keep their mouths and throats moist.
"I did not know how long my milk would last, but by some miracle it kept on coming."
The friends eventually spotted land and tore planks from the boat to row ashore - only to discover they?d landed back in the Dominican Republic.
The engine had packed up and some could only spit blood once their water ran out after three days.
Roberto Rodriguez said, "We weren?t ashamed to accept Faustina?s gift. She is our Angel of the Sea."