How an Australian and his dog survived two months in the open ocean

In April 2023, 51-year-old Australian yachtsman Tim Shaddock sailed on a catamaran from the Mexican city of La Paz and headed for the islands of French Polynesia. The brave navigator planned to cross the Pacific Ocean in the widest place, for which he had to overcome more than 6 thousand km. As companions, the Australian took his dog Bella, who more than once kept him company in his sea travels. The path was long, but Shaddock did not even suspect how risky it would be.

The first month of the journey passed without incident. The weather was fine, the wind was blowing, and Tim and Bella were enjoying their adventure. But then a storm broke out, during which the Australian catamaran was overwhelmed by waves. Having scooped up water, the navigator saved the ship from flooding, but he had another problem.

Sea water flooded the electronics on board the catamaran. Because of this, the navigation equipment, the radio station and the engine ignition system failed. Shaddock could not sail either, as the storm tore him to shreds. A man and a dog found themselves in the middle of a boundless ocean without communication with the world and the ability to move around. The catamaran became a toy of the waves, and the traveler had to rely on the fact that he would be missed on the shore or accidentally seen from a passing ship.

Tim's catamaran had supplies of food and water, but they soon ran out. Fortunately, Shaddock took fishing nets with him, and with their help, the man and the dog managed to get their own fish. Water supplies in distress were replenished by collecting rainwater. The ruthless sun has become a big problem for man and dog. Tim built an awning out of the remnants of the sail, under which he and Bella hid from the burning rays.

In early July, Shaddock was lucky - his unmanned craft was spotted from a helicopter escorting a fishing trawler. It happened off the west coast of Mexico. The ship picked up Shaddock and his dog. On board the travelers were examined by the ship's doctor, who found no serious problems. Within two months they had lost weight, but their vital signs were within normal limits.

While the catamaran drifted in the ocean, Tim Shaddock grew a beard. But Bella has not changed at all and even retained her inherent cheerfulness. Tim said this about himself:

The case with the Australian navigator was commented on by Michael Tipton, Professor of Physiology at the University of Portsmouth, UK. The scientist has been studying the problems of human survival in the open ocean for many years and is considered one of the best specialists in the world.

According to Tipton, Shaddock and Bella managed to escape not only thanks to the survival skills that the man owned. Luck also played a big role, because it is very difficult to find a small catamaran in the ocean. The chances of salvation in this case tended to zero, because dozens of cases are known when travelers went missing or were found dead.

Tipton also noted that Shaddock's chances of survival were greatly increased by Bella's presence. The professor believes that the company of the dog did not allow Tim to fall into despair and give up.

Tim Shaddock found himself in a very difficult situation. But he was in much better conditions than American Tami Ashcraft. She spent 41 days in the ocean alone, with a head injury, on a semi-submerged yacht.