An Australian seaman and his beloved dog drifted on a catamaran for more than two months in the Pacific Ocean before being rescued by a Mexican tuna boat. They subsisted on rainwater and uncooked fish.
Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella set off for French Polynesia in April from a port in Mexico. After only a few weeks of travel, their teeny vessel was harmed in choppy ocean seas, leaving them stranded for months.
Tim Shaddock, 51, of Sydney, Australia, and his dog Bella set off for French Polynesia in April from the port of La Paz, Mexico. A hurricane hit the catamaran a few weeks into their journey, causing electronic and communication system damage.
The little boat, Aloha Toa (aloha means “breath of life,” and Toa is a “valiant Polynesian warrior”), was abandoned in the Pacific Ocean’s deep waters for more than two months, yet the actual castaway never gave up hope of being rescued.
Tim used his survival abilities to provide for himself and his canine companion by catching uncooked fish using the fishing equipment he had on board and collecting rainwater from storms.
Tim and Bella, a cute dog that appears to be a German Shepherd mix, used the boats’ canopy to protect themselves from the heat and exposure from the scorching sun.
Tim told Australia’s 9News, “I’ve been through a very horrible ordeal at sea.” “I’ve been alone at sea for a very long period, so I just need some rest and nice meals. I’m otherwise in excellent health.
The man, whose brows and beard were overgrown and shaggy, had become noticeably leaner from his castaway diet, while Bella, who is visible next to her human father in many of the pictures, seemed to have been fed and hydrated fairly.
“My health is good. When Tim finally put his feet on the ground on Tuesday, he told the journalists, “I’m feeling a lot better than I was. “I’m just very grateful to the captain and the fishing outfit that helped save my life. He continued, “I’m alive and I didn’t really think I’d make it. He added that he and his “wonderful” dog are both doing well right now and that he still loves the water.
According to Mike Tipton, a professor of human and applied physiology at the University of Portsmouth, Tim’s ability to find drinking water was crucial to the pair’s survival, which required “a combination of chance and skill.”
Like Tim did, for instance, Tipton added: “And knowing that you need to protect yourself during the heat of the day because sweating is the last thing you want when you’re at risk of dehydration.”
Tim had the ability to ration food and water, which is “truly the secret to extended survival journeys,” Tipton continued, despite the horrific circumstances.
Just picture how dark and lonely it would be out there at night, said Tipton, adding that Tim’s survivability had increased “tremendously” by having his best friend on board. It “may well have made the difference,” he claimed. You have to maintain a really good mental attitude to persevere through this kind of hardship because you are very much living day to day.