An Australian sailor who survived two months at sea with his dog has spoken about the harrowing ordeal.
Tim Shaddock, 51, and his dog Bella set sail from Mexico in April for French Polynesia, but their boat was damaged by a storm several weeks later. They were stranded in the Pacific Ocean, with no food or water, and were forced to survive on raw fish and rainwater.
“Things get tough out there,” Shaddock told 9News. “You’re just sitting there, waiting to be rescued, and you don’t know if it’s going to happen.”
Shaddock and Bella survived by catching fish with a handline and collecting rainwater. They also used a solar panel to charge their phones, which they used to keep in touch with family and friends.
After two months, Shaddock and Bella were rescued by a Mexican tuna trawler. They were both in good health, although Shaddock said he was “very skinny”.
“I’m just needing rest and good food because I have been alone at sea a long time,” he said.
Shaddock’s story is a reminder of the dangers of sailing the open ocean. However, it is also a testament to the human spirit and the bond between humans and animals.
Shaddock met Bella on the streets of Mexico before they took off on their trip. The dog kept following him, so he took her with him. He said Bella is remarkable for enduring the hardships they both overcame.
“Bella was a great companion,” Shaddock said. “She kept me going.”
Shaddock and Bella are now back in Australia, and are adjusting to life on land. Shaddock said he is grateful to be alive, and that he is looking forward to spending more time with Bella.
“I’m just glad to be home,” he said.
Take a look at this great post about this man and his dog:
Tim Shaddock, an Australian man, and his dog, Bella, were found floating aboard a catamaran, 1,200 miles from land in the Pacific Ocean. They were rescued after being at sea for three months. https://t.co/ssvIiOGSIE pic.twitter.com/gPwK50EeZw
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 18, 2023
