An Australian castaway who was stranded in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexicco for three months, has shared the first meal he plans to have when he returns home.
Sydney man Tim Shaddock, 54, was rescued by a tuna vessel this week after a storm damaged his catamaran’s electronics and communication system.
The former IT specialist was just weeks into his trip, travelling from the Port of La Paz in Mexico to French Polynesia on his catamaran, when the storm hit.
He survived the ordeal living off raw fish and rainwater after his provisions ran out.
After arriving at the Mexican port of Manzanillo on Tuesday local time, he revealed to awaiting reporters his plans when he returns home.
“We did ask him what is your first meal going to be. He seems to have his humour intact. He says it will be tuna sushi,” Today’s US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi said.
Mr Shaddock and his dog Bella were found on July 12.
He said he was
“This land I’m on currently is amazing, you know, it’s really good. I’m grateful to be here,” He said he was “so grateful” to be alive.
He described the moment he saw the helicopter, which alerted the trawler to his location.
“It made me feel like I was going to live, you know. The helicopter was the first I have seen of any boat for three months.”
Although Mr Shaddock is set to return to Australia, his dog Bella will remain in Mexico, and live with one of the crew members who rescued the pair.
The sailor initially found her while travelling through Mexico.
While he was severely dehydrated and malnourished when he was rescued about six days ago, he was able to endure the harsh conditions by living off rainwater and raw fish.
Speaking to reporters after his rescue, he said he initially “didn’t think I’d make it”.
“There were many, many bad days, and many good days,” he said.
“The health was pretty bad for a while, I was pretty hungry and I didn’t think I’d make it through the storm. But now I’m really doing good.
While his meagre diet was “enough” to keep him alive, it also left him tired.
“I’m still very skinny – by the time I came here to the fishing boat, I was just eating so much food,” Mr Shaddock continued.
“The fatigue is the hardest part. You’re always fixing something. For me, I would try and find the happiness inside myself and I found that a lot alone at sea. I would go in the water too, and just enjoy being in the water.”