In distress in the Pacific: Australian sailor and dog rescued after three months
Leonie Meyer
· 17.07.2023
Shaddock set sail from La Paz in Mexico in April to reach the French Polynesia archipelago, some 6,000 kilometres away. However, a storm damaged his catamaran a few weeks after departure and rendered the on-board electronics and radio unusable. Apparently, the catamaran was also no longer manoeuvrable.
The 51-year-old and his dog survived the involuntary adventure by feeding on rainwater and raw fish, as reported by the Australian medium 9News. The sailor is also said to have used the boat's shelter to protect himself from sunburn.
For months, Shaddock and his dog Bella were on their own until they were discovered by a tuna trawler and its helicopter last Thursday. A video published by 9News shows the moment when the crew of the fishing trawler brought the emaciated 51-year-old with long hair and a luxuriant beard on board.
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"I've been through a tough ordeal on the high seas. I need rest and good food now because I was alone at sea for a long time," said Shaddock in the video. Despite the ordeal, he explained that he was in good health. Various Media report on a "spectacular rescue operation" that is reminiscent of the Tom Hanks film "Cast Away - Missing" reminds us.
According to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Shaddock is now on board the trawler on his way back to Mexico.
