Timothy Shaddock, a 54-year-old Australian, made the brave decision to quit his corporate job and pursue his dream of sailing solo across the ocean. After purchasing a 30-foot catamaran in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, he moved there to begin his adventure. While living on the boat was challenging, the real test came when Shaddock started sailing. He used the Sea of Cortez as his training ground, taking short journeys to assess the boat’s functionality. However, with hurricane season approaching, Shaddock knew he had to sail out of the Sea of Cortez and into the Pacific sooner rather than later.
Under a full moon in early May, Shaddock set sail into the Pacific. The winds were strong, and the boat was moving fast. It was an easy decision for Shaddock to continue sailing. However, everything changed when a sudden storm hit, causing him to lose his sail, electronics, and cooking capabilities. Despite the difficult circumstances, Shaddock chose not to issue a mayday call. Instead, he battled fatigue, fixed things on the boat, fished for food, and captured rainwater. Meditation, swimming, and journaling helped him find solace, while taking care of his dog, Bella, gave him added purpose. The two survived on raw fish and rainwater.
Shaddock thought his journey would end in tragedy until he heard a helicopter on July 12. The pilot, Andrés Zamorano, was searching for tuna and happened to come across Shaddock and Bella, who were 1,200 miles from land. Zamorano believes Shaddock’s determination to keep Bella alive played a significant role in their survival. Once aboard the fishing boat María Delia, Shaddock and Bella received attention and first aid. Bella’s blisters were treated, and Shaddock enjoyed daily coffee and conversations with the crew. Two days later, the boat found a massive school of tuna, allowing them to fill their hold and head back home.
Stepping onto land for the first time in months was both a relief and a bit unsettling for Shaddock, who had grown accustomed to solitude. As for his future plans, he intends to go back to Australia to visit his family. However, his incredible journey and the lessons he learned at sea will always remain with him.
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