Heinz finds Dominican sailor who survived on the brand’s famous ketchup, gifting him new boat

Elvis Francois

Elvis Francois, the sailor from Dominica who reported that he survived for 24 days eating Heinz ketchup, packets of garlic powder, and Maggi cubes, will receive a brand-new boat from the American food processor

Heinz, famous for its ketchup and other canned and bottled foods, said they found Francois after tracking him down.

They used their social media page to send out messages asking for the public’s help and today, the company reported that they found Francois and he is in Dominica.

 “We’ve hopped into your DMs – let’s get Elvis his boat!”  Heinz wrote.

Last December currents swept Francois’s boat out to sea while he was making repairs off the island of St Martin.

The 47-year-old reported at the time that while he attempted to contact family, he lost his cell phone signal and his boat drifted further into the ocean until it was spotted by a vessel, a Colombian Navy patrol plane.

A merchant ship later rescued Francois 120 nautical miles northwest of La Guajira, Colombia.

When he was found, he was reported to be in good health.

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21 Comments

  1. Fred Curry
    March 1, 2023

    Awesome story. I would love to see a followup story and a photo of new boat. Kudos to Heinz.

  2. TeteMorne I From
    February 28, 2023

    SOMEBODY! Gift him a haircut.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 10
    • If we knew better
      February 28, 2023

      And TeteMorne you from? Shame.

    • Trevor David
      March 2, 2023

      Why does Black hair bother you Neanderthals so much?

  3. Dan Tanner
    February 27, 2023

    I would like to see a description or photo of the boat. Will it have a motor? Sail>

  4. Ibo France
    February 27, 2023

    Glad for you brother! Next time going out to sea take along some imperial able food and communication devices. Don’t forget the Heinz ketchup.

  5. February 25, 2023
  6. Drez
    February 25, 2023

    What the enemy meant for evil, God turn it around for His good. Count your Blessings Elvis. God got you.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  7. Eldridge Dorman
    February 25, 2023

    Wow thanks you Heinz for reaching out let keep on keeping Heinz in the family

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  8. Rat Race
    February 24, 2023

    This story is movie worthy. Not many would survive this and it should be documented.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • Zandoli
      February 27, 2023

      So how long do you think that movie would be – 24 days or 24 minutes?

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  9. Watching
    February 24, 2023

    Glory to God he could have been dead

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
  10. RR TnT
    February 24, 2023

    Well done Heinz!!!..need more acts of kindness like this from big business.
    Good luck in the future Elvis..clearly God and Lady Luck are on your side

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  11. Zandoli
    February 24, 2023

    I was driving home from work yesterday and I was stuck in traffic and the only thing I survived on was packs of Heinz ketchup. Can someone contact Heinz so that I can get a new car?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
  12. DNO Reader
    February 24, 2023

    Question to DNO admin: why do you no longer attach “related articles” like you used to? This used to make the site so much more interesting.
    And not sure if it’s considered “news worthy” but I’d imagine that many curious readers were wondering why, after spending decades in SxM, he was repatriated to D/ca..
    And, in the event that he spent all these years as an “undocumented”, then surely something can be done to facilitate his legal return to his adopted home?..
    Most likely he’d prefer that than staying here..albeit with his new boat.

    ADMIN: Thank you very much for your question.

    We had removed the feature in order to address a technical issue. We have since been able to restore the feature while also fixing the issue.

  13. Tt
    February 24, 2023

    Great ending to an epic story.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 2
  14. Neillio
    February 23, 2023

    Big up Elvis! God has many ways to bless through trials. Happy for you man.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 0
  15. JV
    February 23, 2023

    Big up Elvis! God has many ways to bless eve after difficult trials.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
  16. ATKINSON
    February 23, 2023

    That a very nice thing to do, by Heinz for mister Elvis. A good ending :-D

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 72 Thumb down 2
  17. Jacques
    February 23, 2023

    It is always heart warming to learn of a happy ending after a sad story.
    It would be interesting to know if it is true that the Dominican immigration was of no help.

    “Reached out to the Colombian Navy (who found him at sea) & Dominica Immigration services, but no luck. ”

    https://www.foodbeast.com/news/heinz-wants-to-reward-a-new-boat-to-man-that-survived-a-month-at-sea-eating-ketchup/

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