#FindThe KetchupBoatGuy. The manhunt is launched on social networks. But it’s for a good cause. The Heinz brand is looking for the Dominican sailor who was lost in the Caribbean Sea from late December to mid-January, reports CNN. It’s about giving him a nice gift after the ordeal that the 47-year-old man endured on his boat. Elvis Francois had spent twenty-four days, left to himself and feeding in particular on ketchup, before being saved and brought back to earth.
Elvis Francois was quietly repairing his boat near the island of Saint-Martin when it, badly secured, began to drift out to sea due to unfavorable weather conditions. Inexperienced, with no knowledge of navigation, the Dominican couldn’t find a way to get back to his starting point. He managed to survive with what he had on board: water, garlic powder, Maggi bouillon cubes and ketchup. “I mixed everything with water to survive for about twenty-four days,” said the castaway.
Rescued by Colombian Navy
The unfortunate sailor was spotted by an aircraft passing overhead. The occupants noticed reflections of the sun sent by a mirror that the forties oriented towards the sky. In addition, he had written the word “Help” on the hull of his sailboat. The Colombian Navy eventually came to her aid. After learning how the Dominican survived, Heinz decided to track down Elvis Francois. The requests made to the Dominican authorities or the Colombian navy having given nothing, on February 14, the American brand launched an appeal on social networks.
This wanted poster has a purpose. Heinz intends to follow up on this misadventure, which ends well thanks, among other things, to his ketchup. The company intends to make a nice gift to the sailor for this. This is “to help cover the costs of a new boat equipped with a technological navigation system in order to prevent another disaster”, explained representatives of the company. Elvis Francois, however, remains untraceable.