They survived two months in the Pacific Ocean on raw fish and drinking rainwater after the boat they were traveling in was damaged in a storm.
The protagonists of the incredible story worthy of the famous 2001 film by Robert Zemeckis with Tom Hanks, Cast Away, are Tim Shaddock, an Australian sailor, and his dog Bella.
Their boat had left Mexico for French Polynesia in April— a journey of more than 6,000 kilometers from the Mexican city of La Paz. However, a violent storm made them lose track and devastated all the electronic equipment.
Shaddock, 51, and his faithful friend floated in the middle of nowhere for weeks. Luckily the man had his tackle with him and continued fishing, feeding himself and Bella. Thanks to a canopy they protected themselves from sunstroke and dehydration by drinking rainwater.
After two months they were spotted by a helicopter in the middle of the sea and were taken to safety by a fishing boat.
The doctor on board the trap told Australian broadcaster 9News that "they are fine". «I have gone through a very difficult trial – said Shaddock – I need rest and good food because I have been alone at sea for a long time. I'm otherwise in excellent health."
(Unioneonline/D)