A 51-year-old Australian sailor and his dog left the western Mexico coast to sail to French Polynesia start of this year but unfortunately, a powerful storm caused significant damage to the boat’s electronics just a few weeks into their journey, leaving them stranded and adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
After two long months at sea, a helicopter from a tuna trawler spotted the boat still off the coast of Mexico. Remarkably, both the sailor, Tim Shaddock, and his loyal dog, Bella, survived by drinking rainwater and eating raw fish, as reported by Australian broadcaster 9News.
In the footage, Shaddock can be seen protecting himself from the sun with clothes and an overgrown beard with bits of food, showing the challenging conditions they endured during their ordeal. And honestly, he does fit the picture of how you would look if you were adrift for two months.
“I have been through a very difficult ordeal at sea,” he told 9News. “I’m just needing rest and good food because I have been alone at sea a long time. Otherwise I’m in very good health.”
The story highlights the incredible resilience and determination of both man and dog, demonstrating remarkable cooperation and support between different species. According to ocean survival expert Mike Tipton from the University of Portsmouth, Bella likely played a crucial role in their survival.
Shaddock’s dog Bella likely helped “tremendous amount,” University of Portsmouth ocean survival expert Mike Tipton told 9News. “I think that may have well made the difference.”
“You’re living very much from day-to-day and you have to have a very positive mental attitude in order to get through this kind of ordeal and not give up,” he added.