In a true story of survival, an Australian sailor and his dog overcame adversity during their two-month experience adrift in the North Pacific.
Tim Shaddock51, set sail from Mexico with the aim of reaching French Polynesia, when their catamaran was damaged in a storm, leaving them stranded in the vast ocean.
They survived by eating raw fish, relying on rainwater and finding shelter until a trawler rescued them., as reported by NBC.
The journey of the stranded sailor with his dog
Leaving La Paz in Mexico in April, Tim Shaddock embarked on a (almost) solo journey to French Polynesia, traversing more than 5,000km across the Pacific.
Unfortunately, weather interrupted their voyage, damaging the catamaran’s electronics just a few weeks after the trip.
Cut off from communication and navigation, he and his dog were left at the mercy of the ocean.
Shaddock Survival in Harsh Conditions
Without means of orientation or communication, Shaddock and his faithful companion, Bella, resorted to ingenuity to stay alive. Their daily livelihood came from catching and eating raw fish, trying to master the art of survival in the open sea.
Drinking rainwater and seeking shelter from the scorching sun inside the catamaran were critical to their survival.
Shaddock and Bella’s miraculous rescue
Finally, a helicopter sighted the catamaran in the middle of the vast ocean, prompting a rescue operation. Shaddock and Bella were saved by a tuna boat that gave them a life preserver. of hope after more than two months adrift last weekend, although the exact location of the rescue is unknown.
“I just need to rest and eat well because I’ve been alone at sea for a long time,” he said, adding, “I haven’t had food, enough food, for a long time,” the sailor said, according to the Australian outlet 9News.
A doctor who treated Shaddock on the trawler told the outlet that the sailor had “normal vital signs.”
Photos captured before the voyage and after his rescue revealed Shaddock’s amazing transformation during his time at sea. His unkempt appearance, similar to Tom Hanks’ character in “Cast Away,” portrayed the grueling challenges he faced during his epic journey.
Already on the way back to Mexico in the trawler, he plans to undergo medical examinations and receive the necessary care to ensure his well-being after such a long and arduous journey.
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