CNN
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After asking the public for help to find sailor Elvis Francois, who survived for weeks on ketchup and condiments, ketchup giant Heinz finally tracked him down and plans to give him a new boat.
On February 14, the company took to social media to say it was having trouble contacting Francois and asked for help.
The Dominica-born sailor made headlines in January after spending 24 days in the Caribbean. After being rescued by the Colombian Navy, Francois, 47, told authorities he survived on Maggi bouillon cubes mixed with ketchup, garlic powder and salt. ‘water.
Heinz told CNN on Monday that he found Francois with the help of local journalists in Dominica who work for EmoNews. The company previously said it hoped to give him a “new state-of-the-art boat” to celebrate his safe return.
“We have contacted him and discussed how we can help him and his family,” a Heinz spokesperson told CNN. “We (Heinz) and Elvis are now working on the logistical details to get him his new boat.”
The company emphasized the crucial role of social media in helping to find a sailor.
“Anyone who shared, liked or commented on a brand message helped expand reach and played an important role in getting Elvis discovered,” Heinz said.
Francois was repairing his boat on the island of St. Martin in December when his boat was set adrift. He told Colombian authorities that he did not have the navigational skills to return to shore and that he had been lost at sea for 24 days. Colombian authorities said he was rescued after spotting a sailboat with “help” written on the fuselage.
cnn
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