Aussie sailor rescued after two months lost in mid-Pacific by eating raw fish and drinking rainwater: ‘Real life cast away’
Aussie sailor rescued after missing in Pacific Ocean Tim Shaddock and dog Bella survive on raw fish and rainwater Sydney man’s catamaran capsized in storm two months ago
An Australian sailor and his dog have been miraculously rescued after the pair spent months in the Pacific Ocean eating raw fish and drinking rainwater.
Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella were picked up by a tuna trawler off the coast of Mexico when a helicopter accompanying the ship spotted their catamaran.
The Sydney man left La Paz, Mexico in April for French Polynesia but weeks into the voyage a storm destroyed his ship’s electronics.
Mr Shaddock said he was forced to drift for two months with only his dog, eating raw fish and drinking rainwater to survive.
Tim Shaddock (pictured) and his pooch Bella were picked up by a tuna trawler off the coast of Mexico after months adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
The Sydney man left La Paz, Mexico in April for French Polynesia but weeks into the voyage a storm destroyed his ship’s electronics.
Footage of his miraculous rescue obtained by Nine News showed a gaunt Mr Shaddock sporting an overgrown gray beard as he spoke to authorities.
His dog Bella was seen wagging her tail at the camera crew who filmed the sailor’s catamaran filled with buckets and equipment.
‘I’ve just got fishing gear, survival gear,’ he was heard telling a man from the ship.
Mr Shaddock said he endured a very difficult ordeal before being rescued by a trawler and had not had enough to eat for a ‘long time’.
‘I need some rest and some good food as I have been alone at sea for a long time,’ said the sailor.
‘I have very good medicine and am very well looked after.’
A photo of Mr Shaddock after the rescue shows him sporting a wide smile with a blood pressure monitor on his arm.
A photo of Mr Shaddock after the rescue showed him sporting a beaming smile with a blood pressure monitor on his arm (pictured).
Mr Shaddock (pictured with his dog Bella) said he endured a grueling ordeal and had not had enough to eat for a ‘long time’ before he was rescued by a trawler.
An expert doctor on the trawler compared Mr Shaddock’s dire situation to the Tom Hanks movie Castaway (pictured).
A specialist doctor on board the trawler said Mr Shaddock was conscious and chattering after the ordeal and starting to eat small meals.
It is understood that he did not suffer any major illness or injury while lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
The sailor escaped sunburn by hiding under a canopy on his ship.
The doctor compared Mr Shaddock’s dire situation to the Tom Hanks movie Castaway – with the star’s lean and bearded character bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Aussie sailor.
The trawler began its slow journey to Mexico where Mr Shaddock will receive further treatment.
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