William and Simone Butler were 1,200 miles off Costa Rica when whales sank their 40-foot yacht on June 15, 1989. They survived 66 days adrift in a rubber raft, relying on a 7-lb manual pump (Survivor-35) to produce about three liters of water daily and on raw-caught fish for calories. Rescued by the Costa Rican Coast Guard in Golfito, both lost roughly 50 lbs. but survived. William continued a storied sailing life and died in June 2024.
Survivors at Sea: Couple Endured 66 Days Adrift After Whales Sank Their Yacht
gettyA killer whale swims in Monterey Bay, Calif.
June 15, 1989: William and Simone Butler were roughly 1,200 miles off the coast of Costa Rica when a pod of whales surrounded and sank their 40-foot yacht. The couple escaped into a rubber life raft with limited supplies and one small device that would prove life-saving.
They salvaged fishing gear and a 7-lb manual desalination pump known as the Survivor-35, which William operated daily to produce about three liters of potable water. With no reliable way to cook and no extra fuel, they relied primarily on fish they caught and ate raw to maintain calories and survive.
66 Days Adrift
For 66 days the Butlers drifted in the Pacific Ocean, enduring sun, salt, dehydration and the constant threat of sharks. William, then 60, later told reporters from his hospital bed that he forced himself to consume "almost 2 lbs. of raw fish a day" and made his wife do the same to keep up caloric intake. Despite their efforts, both lost roughly 50 pounds.
AP Photo/Ezequiel BecerraWilliam and Simone Butler
"I forced myself to eat almost 2 lbs. of raw fish a day, and I forced my wife to eat it too," — William Butler
Rescue and Aftermath
On day 66 the Costa Rican Coast Guard located the raft and transported William and Simone to a hospital in Golfito. Medics reported they were severely sunburned and dehydrated but otherwise in surprisingly fair condition given the length of their ordeal. The couple later said they had fended off shark encounters and fish feeding frenzies around the raft.
After recovery the Butlers returned to the United States and spoke with reporters about the experience. At the time they expressed a desire to rest and stay away from the sea for a while. Their story drew attention from people interested in books and films, though the couple preferred to move on.
Life at Sea
William — often called Bill — had a lifelong relationship with sailing that began in his teens. An obituary published after his death in June 2024 recalled a career that included transatlantic crossings, rounding Cape Horn, treasure-hunting voyages and more than 74,000 nautical miles logged aboard his vessels Siboney and New Chance. Simone predeceased him by several years.
Why this story matters: The Butlers' survival highlights the importance of emergency preparation at sea, the life-saving potential of simple equipment like a manual desalination pump, and the resilience of people faced with extreme conditions.
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