Heinz’s Search For Man Who Lived On Ketchup For Weeks At Sea Comes To A Close
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Heinz’s code-red signal to locate a man with an inspiring story has led to an incredible conclusion.
In February, the company embarked on an international search for 47-year-old Elvis Francois, who was stuck at sea for 24 days and survived on a diet of ketchup, garlic powder, and Maggi seasoning cubes, along with rainwater gathered into a cloth. The sailor’s boat was pushed to open waters by strong currents while he was repairing it.
In addition to calling upon internet users to help track him, Heinz said it engaged its overseas branches to find the seaman, and it even tried to get in touch with the Colombian navy, who rescued Francois, and the government of Dominica. The company hoped to gift him a boat with proper navigational technology so as to prevent future occurrences.
Thanks to the internet’s help, Heinz has at long last found its “#KetchupBoatGuy.” The brand tells CBS News that its post had reached 4.8 million people, and that Francois was finally located in the island of Dominica in the Caribbean.
Heinz managed to reach Francois with the assistance of local news outlet EmoNews, which claims to be the first to interview him after his return home. It was through this contact that the man could tell his family he was safe and well.
EmoNews reveals that Heinz has had “a successful meeting” with the man on Zoom, and that both parties are now firming up the logistics to have the new boat delivered to him.
In an interview with the local publication, Francois says he tried incorporating seaweed in his diet, but it tasted “too strong.” Luckily, he got sufficient vitamins from the ketchup, which he apparently rationed out into three meals per day. “Everything happens for a reason,” the man muses.
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