Heinz finds ‘Ketchup Boat Guy’ after viral internet manhunt — and it wants to buy him a new vessel

Ketchup company Heinz has finally tracked down Ketchup Boat Guy" Elvis Francois - a man who survived nearly a month at sea on nothing but condiments - in order buy him a new, state-of-the-art vessel.

Francois, 47, made international headlines earlier in the year when he was rescued by the Colombian military after a shift in weather blew his boat out to sea. After learning of Francois' ordeal, the company posted a now-viral Instagram call-out to track down the secretive sailor.

You may remember Elvis Francois as the brave sailor who survived on nothing but ketchup and spices while adrift at sea for 24 days," the company said in its post nearly two weeks ago. Well, Heinz wants to celebrate his safe return home and help him buy a new boat ... but we can't seem to find him."

The post soon attracted roughly 4.8 million views and garnered over 4,000 likes - a record for the brand, the company said.

Now, nearly two weeks later, a spokesperson for Heinz told the Star the company managed to track down and connect with Francois. The sailor was first discovered in the Caribbean on the island of Dominica by local reporters at EmoNews.

Elvis was discovered late last week, and we were able to get in touch with him within 24 hours of hearing he had been found in Dominica," the spokesperson said.

Elvis shared his excitement over receiving our support and we're currently working with him to determine logistical details of gifting him his new boat."

Heinz did not confirm what type of boat they plan to buy Francois or whether the man had survived off Heinz-brand condiments.

In an interview with EmoNews streamed on Facebook last week, Francois said he was feeling healthy after recovering from the ordeal.

I spent 24 days (at sea)," he said. I didn't have so much to make it, but just a bottle of ketchup ... garlic seasoning and a bottle of Maggi," likely referring to a liquid seasoning often used to flavour soups.

You see, everything happens for a reason. The ketchup has ... vitamins, and it's very vital for the body," he continued. So it wouldn't be a damage to my body, even though I used X amount."

Heinz responded to the post, writing: Incredible. We've hopped into your DMs - let's get Elvis his boat!"

Francois has not responded to the Star's requests for comment as of publication.

Kevin Jiang is a Toronto-based staff reporter for the Star's Express Desk. Follow him on Twitter: @crudelykevin