Survival at Sea: A Sailor and His Dog

Two months adrift, Tim Shaddock and his dog were rescued in the South Pacific.

By Lidia Goldberg

July 18, 2023

In the Pacific Ocean, after two months adrift, a Mexican tuna trawler came across Tim Shaddock, 51, and his dog Bella.

Shaddock and Bella had departed from La Paz, Mexico, three months ago. One month into the trip they were caught in a storm that wiped out all of the catamaran’s electronics, making it impossible for Shaddock to reach out for help.

At sea, Shaddock and Bella survived by eating raw fish and drinking rainwater. A helicopter accompanying the tuna trawler spotted Shaddock’s boat and alerted the trawler. A doctor onboard noted that Shaddock had “normal vital signs.”

“I’m just needing rest and good food because I’ve been alone at sea a long time,” Shaddock told NBC news. “I have not had food, enough food, for a long time.”

While at sea Shaddock took precautions to try and last while waiting to be saved. He hid under his boat’s canopy which helped avoid sunburn and dehydration. Having Bella around might have been key to his survival.

“He had companionship. Once you’ve got enough food and water, then I think the dog has an advantage,” said Mike Tipton, a physiology professor at the extreme environment lab at the University of Portsmouth in the UK. “Your survival time is as long as you can keep collecting water, getting occasional food and doing things that help you stay positive.”

According to NBC News, the trawler brought the survivors to land where they will get further medical treatment.