In a tale of extraordinary resilience and survival against the odds, a couple managed to stay alive for over two months in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after their yacht was destroyed by whales.
On June 15, 1989, William and Simone Butler were three weeks into a dream voyage, attempting to circumnavigate the globe aboard their 40-foot yacht, the Siboney. They were roughly 1,200 miles off the coast of Costa Rica when disaster struck: their vessel was "surrounded and sunk by a group of whales".
With their boat going down, the couple had only moments to act. In a stroke of "quick thinking" that would ultimately save their lives, they scrambled to grab essential items before abandoning ship. They managed to secure fishing gear, food, and a crucial device: a 7-lb. manually operated pump called the “Survivor-35”.
Surviving the Open Ocean
Adrift in a rubber raft, the Butlers faced a grueling test of endurance that lasted 66 days. Their survival hinged on the "Survivor-35," which allowed William, then 60, to squeeze out "a precious three liters of potable water" from saltwater each day.
Food was scarce, forcing the couple to rely on the ocean itself. "I forced myself to eat almost 2 lbs. of raw fish a day, and I forced my wife to eat it too," William recounted from his hospital bed.
The challenges were not limited to hunger and thirst. During their ordeal, the couple reported having to fend off shark attacks and "fish feeding frenzies". By the time they were rescued, both William and Simone had lost a reported 50 lbs. each and were suffering from dehydration and severe sunburns, though they remained in "relatively good health" considering the circumstances.
Rescue and Reflection
The couple’s harrowing journey finally ended when they were rescued by the Costa Rican Coast Guard and transported to a hospital. Safe on land, the reality of their survival was difficult to process.
"It's hard to believe that seven days ago we were still adrift, trying to make landfall," William told reporters after their return. "Really, it's hard to discuss the situation".
After facing the terrors of the deep, the Butlers were ready for a change of scenery. "We're going to rest - and go away from the ocean for a while, to the mountains, the prairies," William said.
Despite the traumatic shipwreck, William’s passion for the sea remained unshaken throughout his life. According to his obituary following his passing in June 2024, he logged over 74,000 nautical miles during his lifetime, sharing his love for sailing with his "children, grandchildren, and numerous crewmembers".
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