An Australian sailor and his dog survived months stranded at sea by eating raw fish and drinking rainwater.
Tim Shaddock, 51, and his dog Bella were rescued after over two months floating on board a catamaran in the North Pacific after the vessel was damaged in a storm.
The sailor left La Paz in Mexico in April on the boat and was attempting to reach French Polynesia, more than 5,000km away, when the weather knocked out the electronics on board several weeks into the journey.
The pair were rescued by a trawler last week after a helicopter spotted them.
Photos from before the trip and after his rescue showed his dramatic transformation during his time at sea - with his unkempt appearance drawing comparison to Chuck Nolan, played by Tom Hanks, in the 2000 film Cast Away.
“I have been through a very difficult ordeal at sea,” Mr Shaddock, who worked in IT before retiring, said in a video obtained by 9News Australia.
“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.”
He managed to stay alive by catching and eating raw fish, collecting rainwater and sheltering from the sun inside the catamaran.
The tuna trawler is now heading back to Mexico where Mr Shaddock will undergo medical tests and receive more treatment if needed.
