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It looked like a normal day's fishing for the Maria Delia. The Mexican boat had set off in search of fish when a helicopter above saw something incredible.

A damaged boat was floating far from land. On board was a wild-looking man and the only member of his crew: his pet dog.

Tim Shaddock set out from Mexico in April. But not long after the start of his journey his boat hit a storm. All the electronics on board were broken.

Shaddock survived by catching fish which he ate rawUncooked.. He drank rainwater.

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Mike Tipton, an expertSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. in the human body, says his survival was down to a mixture of luck and skill. He was lucky that there was enough rain to drink - but he showed skill in catching and saving fish to eat.

Some believe that it all comes down to willpowerThe ability to control your own thoughts or behaviour, especially to stop yourself from doing something tempting. . According to one expert, "I've known of people who have been in a perfectly survivable situation who have basically thrown it away and given up... so the will to live is key."

But other experts say there is no such thing as willpower.

Yes! In 2012 two Mexicans were left helpless in a storm-damaged boat. After four months one gave up, stopped eating and died. The other had the will to keep going for another 10 months and survived.

No! There is no proof that willpower exists. But we do know that skill exists. That is what kept Tim Shaddock alive.