A 51-year-old Australian sailor and his dog were rescued off the coast of Mexico after three months adrift at sea. Tim Shaddock and his dogs Bella, both from Sydney, survived by eating raw fish and drinking rain water.
According to News9Australia, the doctors who examined Shaddock, said he had “normal vital signs” and that Bella was “stable and very well.”
Shaddock and Bella had been sailing on their catamaran from La Paz in Mexico to French Polynesia when their boat had been severely damaged from a storm they encountered, leaving them unable to move and having no choice other than to wait for a rescue. It had been three months at sea when a helicopter accompanying a tuna trawler on Wednesday, spotted the two on the boat in the middle of the ocean.
I have been through a very difficult ordeal at sea. i’m just needing rest and good food because i have been alone at sea a long time. Otherwise, I’m in very good health.
Shaddock told 9NewsAustralia
Experts have marveled at Shaddock’s ability to survive, but said a lot of it had been because of the sailor’s skill. For instance, during the day Shaddock and his dog would hide under a tarp to protect themselves from the sun and help from becoming dehydrated.
Bella has also been credited with helping her human by giving him the support and companionship he had needed at such a lonely and trying time in his life.
The two will be medically examined and likely placed on special diets until their bodies become accustomed to eating regularly again.
Is that a miracle? Welcome home guys!
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