() — After enlisting the public’s help in finding Elvis Francois, a sailor who survived weeks lost at sea on ketchup and other condiments, ketchup giant Heinz has finally tracked him down and plans to gift him a new ship.
On February 14, the company posted a request for help on social media, saying they were trying to get in touch with Francois.
The Dominica-born sailor made headlines after spending 24 days adrift in the Caribbean Sea in January. After being rescued by the Colombian navy, Francois, 47, told authorities that he survived thanks to a bottle of ketchup, garlic powder and Maggi bouillon cubes, which he mixed with water.
Heinz told on Monday that they found Francois with the help of local reporters in Dominica who worked for the publication EmoNews. The company had previously said they hoped to gift him “a new, state-of-the-art ship” to celebrate his safe return.
“We were able to connect with him and discuss how best to help him and his family,” a representative for Heinz told . “We (Heinz) and Elvis are currently working out the logistical details to gift him his new boat.”
The company emphasized the central role social media played in helping to locate the sailor.
“Anyone who shared, liked, or commented on the brand’s post helped broaden the reach and played an important role in the search for Elvis,” Heinz said.
Francois was repairing his boat off the island of Saint Martin in December when his boat was pulled out to sea. She told Colombian authorities that she lacked the navigation skills to return to shore and spent 24 days lost at sea. He was rescued after a plane spotted his sailboat with the word “help” etched on the hull, according to Colombian authorities.
