Australian man and dog rescued after three months adrift at sea

Australian sailor Timothy Shaddock and his dog, Bella, were rescued by a Mexican tuna boat after spending three months at sea, the fishing vessel's owner said. 

Shaddock, 54, told reporters Tuesday that he left northwest Mexico with his dog in a catamaran in late April with the plans of sailing to French Polynesia, but a storm a few weeks into his trip disabled his vessel. 

He said he and his dog survived by eating raw fish and drinking rain water. 

Shaddock's first encounter with humans in three months was with the tuna boat María Delia’s helicopter as he was 1,200 miles from the nearest land. The pilot threw him a drink and flew off before a crew came to him in a speed boat, according to The Associated Press. 

The tuna boat with Shaddock returned to land on Tuesday and he gave Bella to a crew member on the condition that the dog will receive good care.

"To the captain and this fishing company that saved my life, I mean, what do you say? I’m just so grateful, I’m alive. I really didn’t think I’d make it," Shaddock said.

He also said he feels "really good" now after suffering from fatigue on the boat.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.