A 54-year-old Australian sailor, Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, and a dog, Bella, were rescued by a Mexican tuna boat in international waters after being adrift at sea for three months. The firm which owns the tuna boat said Shaddock was aboard his incapacitated catamaran Aloha Toa in the Pacific about 1,900 kilometres from land when the crew of the tuna boat from the Grupomar fleet saw them.
Shaddock and Bella were in a “precarious” state when the crew found them. They were given medical attention, food and water, the company added.
How did the sailor and his dog survive?
In an interaction with Australia’s Nine News television, thin and bearded Shaddock said his vessel was damaged by a storm and his electronics were lost. He and Bella survived on raw fish and rainwater. He added that he has been through “a very difficult ordeal” at sea and just needs rest and good food. “I have been alone at sea a long time,” he said.
Shaddock further said that he is in very good health.
Shaddock started his journey from Mexico’s La Paz for French Polynesia in April. However, the voyage ended within weeks. He said the last time he saw land was in early May as he sailed out of the Sea of Cortez and into the Pacific. There was a full moon.
Grateful to be alive
After setting his foot on dry land for the first time post his rescue, Shaddock told reporters that he was “grateful” to be alive. “To the captain and fishing company that saved my life, I’m just so grateful. I’m alive and I didn’t really think I’d make it,” he added.
Shaddock met Bella in Mexico
The Australian sailor explained that he met Bella in Mexico. “She’s Mexican…She’s the spirit of the middle of the country and she wouldn’t let me go. I tried to find a home for her three times and she just kept following me onto the water. She’s a lot braver than I am, that’s for sure,” he said.
The dog will be adopted by a crew member from Mazatlan. Shaddock will be returning to Australia and looks forward to seeing his family.