Three Months Alone with the Ocean: The Story of Tim Sheddock

The New Life and Adventures of Timothy Sheddock

This story began in 2020 with the advent of COVID and lockdowns. Then Timothy Shaddock quit his job at a prestigious company and rushed aimlessly. As a result, Tim settled in Mexico, where he began preparations for the fulfillment of his dream - the man wanted to cross the ocean. 

In the city of Puerto Vallarta, Sheddock bought a catamaran. He hadn't thought about moving fully to live on a boat, but he wanted a place where he could be alone. Around the same time, the man began preparations for the journey. 

As a training ground, he chose the so-called. Sea of Cortez - a place near the Gulf of California and mainland Mexico. For some time, Tim made preparatory trips to the sea, looked for problems and malfunctions on board and, if possible, eliminated them. 

After some time, Tim returned to the mainland and met Bella. Bella was an ordinary mongrel who immediately became a friend and reliable companion. For some time, Timothy tried to find kind people who would shelter the animal - by that time he himself was already living on board the boat - but all attempts were in vain.

Risky plan and unexpected storm

The man did not give up his hopes of crossing the ocean. He has already chosen a route and even started to prepare a catamaran. As planned, Tim was to leave La Paz and move towards French Polynesia.

Everything went well, Tim and Bella calmly left the port of La Paz in early April and lay down on the course. The first days passed quietly and calmly, the man was in no hurry, enjoying a leisurely cruise on the ocean. However, the storm changed the couple's plans a little.

“The current suddenly changes, the wind changes, the waves start moving in different directions, it's like hypnosis. At some point, you just become aware of yourself in some giant whirlpool with rain,” says Sheddock. As a result of a storm, all the electronics on board the multihull failed, and the mainsail was torn. 

When the storm ended, Timothy realized that he was in the middle of the ocean without navigational equipment. The first day the man spent literally in a state of shock, he absolutely did not understand what to do next. On the second day, according to Tim, he was terribly tired after fighting the elements. 

Over time, Sheddock found the strength to keep himself, the dog and the catamaran in good condition. Tim began to fish a lot to feed himself and his partner, trying to fix the equipment on board. Due to problems with electricity, the yachtsman did not have the opportunity to cook his own food - he had to eat raw fish. Alas, on board the stove for cooking food was also out of order, which could not be repaired.

According to the man, Bella has been very supportive of him all these weeks. But time passed, and there was no hope for salvation, the yachtsman and his partner continued to fight against the elements. So it took about three months. After the fresh water in the tanks ran out, the man had to collect and filter the rainwater. 

Timothy recalls: “There were days when there was simply nothing to do. These days I just lay and rested. In this mode, it was possible to save water - it took only 200-300 ml of water per day. When it rained, we had to take water into empty containers, but the weather conditions were sometimes difficult.” 

miraculous rescue

Sheddock was in good health and good spirits most of the time, but despair often got the better of him. Just imagine - you are one on one with the elements, there is no way to send a distress signal, there are thousands of kilometers of water around, thirst and routine days filled with the same activities. Bella remained the only salvation.

Timothy recalls with a smile: “It seemed to me that Bella's courage and willpower were much better developed than mine. Her inexhaustible joy from every day lived instilled in me optimism and confidence that we would definitely return home.”

Time dragged on and on, days and nights merged into one endless day under the scorching sun. It seemed that salvation was not foreseen at all. But everything changed on June 12th. It was then that Sheddock saw a helicopter over the sea. Although it would be more correct to say that he heard it. It was a Coast Guard helicopter that delivered some water to Tim. Once Timothy's exact location was established, the helicopter was followed by a small motorboat from the trawler Maria Delia.

On video: the moment of saving Timothy

The man and his partner were quickly taken aboard the trawler. There, the doctor and the entire crew of the fishing vessel were already waiting for him. Timothy was glad to be rescued, but due to the shock he had experienced, he remained reserved. He said that "there were very bad days and very good ones."

The Further Adventures of Tim Sheddock

After the rescue, the man went to Australia. To the dismay of many, he returned home without his partner Bella. The reason for their separation was the harsh Australian legislation, which prohibits the importation of animals from abroad. Tim left the dog to the crew of Maria Delia on the condition that the animal was properly cared for. 

After the amazing rescue, journalists bombard Tim with questions and offers to interview him. The man is currently recovering from the incident. To questions about whether he plans to go on a new trip, Tim reluctantly, but with a smile, answers: “Probably not yet.”

On the video: Bella, Tim Sheddock's dog

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27.07.2023