Men say bird vomit saved their lives in 25 days lost at sea: report

[dorkulon]

SYDNEY (AFP) – Two men who spent 25 days lost at sea in a giant icebox survived their extraordinary ordeal thanks to rainwater from tropical storms and fish spat out by passing birds, a report said Wednesday.

The men, who were rescued by helicopter on Saturday, are still being interviewed by Australian immigration officials, who are hoping to clarify how they came to be drifting in shark-infested waters off the country's northern coast.

The pair told The Sydney Morning Herald they drank only rainwater and ate small fish regurgitated by seabirds after their Thai fishing boat broke up, possibly in Indonesian waters, in huge waves on December 23.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090121/wl_asia_afp/australiamyanmarmaritimerescue

:puke:

[NOW tense]

1. That is not on my list of things to do in this lifetime.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. This is some strange story.

20 fishermen on a 30 foot boat - the whole thing is hard to grasp.

[petronius]

13. It sounds like the Australians aren't 100% convinced of the story

I'd guess it wasn't really a fishing boat and it wasn't really 25 days. However, it's pretty clear that these guys did spend an uncomfortable amount of time in the middle of nowhere, which isn't really something you plan to do (unless you're Survivorman, of course)...

[depakid]

20. Nope- it's more than a bit suspect at this point

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6454538,00.jpg
SURVIVORS ... Ko Ko Oo, and Haung Htaik after being rescued from their ocean icebox ordeal. They are seeking asylum amid doubts about their story.
------------

"Marine survival experts cast doubt over their story, fuelling speculation of a botched people-smuggling syndicate.

Beyond dehydration and hunger, the pair showed remarkably good health after surviving 25 days on only rainwater and a few tiny fish.

No sunburn.

No blistered skin from exposure.

No signs of emaciation."

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,24953785-953,00.html

[cliffordu]

23. They look remarkably well fed to me.

[dysfunctional press]

3. do seabirds really drop that many fish?

and directly over their cooler boat?

[tekisui]

5. I imagine they would paddle to the vomit.

[NeedleCast]

4. I think I'd rather just die, thanks

Wow, that has to have been unimaginatly horrible.

[tekisui]

6. Amazing what humans can do in desperate situations.

[Dogmudgeon]

7. They were saved by a Shaggy Dog

This story is not sounding real believable at this point. They didn't even have any of the usual indicators of exposure, like sunburn or cracked skin, or dehydration, or even significant malnutrition.

It's possible that they were preserved and fortified by puking birds, God, Karmic Prana, or Lord Poseidon, but I'll wait until the investigation is done until I decide to cheer them or boo them. But right now it isn't looking too good.

--p!

[Javaman]

9. didn't you know that the vomit also works as a wonderful skin and lip balm?

It's a lip balm! No, it's a snack food!

[surrealAmerican]

10. You're right, this doesn't sound plausible.

Wasn't it in "Peter Pan" that the children survived their long trip (to Neverland) by eating only what they could grab from the birds?

[BurtWorm]

8. Lark vomit?

[surrealAmerican]

11. No, for that you need a big red label ...

... saying "Warning: Lark's Vomit"!

[dorkulon]

14. hah, better than "Spring Surprise."

"Ah - now, that's our speciality - covered with darkest creamy chocolate. When you pop it in your mouth steel bolts spring out and plunge straight through-both cheeks. "

http://www.orangecow.org/pythonet/sketches/crunchy.htm

[alittlelark]

15. Did someone request Lark vomit?

:puke: :puke: :puke:

Just a little.

[Enrique]

12. how long can you live on smiley vomit?

:puke:

[proud patriot]

16. Wow that was nice of the birds

:think:

[lonestarnot]

22. I've had seagulls shit on before when I was tossing bait in the air for them, but never puke.

Ackety to both!

[fishnfla]

17. large deal, bird vomit got me thru 8 years of grade school

cafeteria specialty

[daleo]

18. Bird vomit

Is there nothing it can't do?

[Avalux]

19. People will eat anything to survive, even each other.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party

[slampoet]

21. Don't knock it. HoneyBee vomit is on most USA menus.