Teen rescued after seven weeks at sea in floating hut
Aldi Novel Adilang sent adrift after floating fish trap became unmoored in strong winds
An Indonesian teenager who survived 49 days on the ocean after his wooden hut was pushed out to sea by strong winds has been reunited with his family.
Aldi Novel Adilang, 19, was plucked from the ocean by a cargo ship near the US territory of Guam in the western Pacific Ocean on 31 August.
He had been working as a keeper on a floating fish trap called a rompong, anchored to the seabed around 75 miles off the Indonesian coast, when unusually strong winds broke his mooring ropes on 19 July, sending the wooden hut adrift.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite lacking paddles or sails and only equipped with a week’s worth of food, gas and drinking water, the 19-year-old was able to survive for seven weeks lost at sea.
As well as eating fish caught from the ocean, Adilang “drank by sipping water from his clothes that had been wetted by sea water”, said Mirza Nurhidayat, the Indonesian consul-general who oversaw the young man’s return home.
“After he ran out of the cooking gas, he burned the rompong’s wooden fences to make a fire for cooking,” he told The Jakarta Post.
Adilang said that more than ten ships had failed to notice him before the Arpeggio picked up his radio signal.
At times, he considered ending his life by jumping into the ocean, The Guardian reports, but credited his Christian faith for keeping him alive, saying he prayed and read the Bible for comfort during his ordeal.
After a week on board the Arpeggio, Adilang was dropped off at the vessel’s next port of call, in Japan, where he was met by Indonesian consular officials.
Adilang, right, poses with a consulate official after his arrival in Japan
Now reportedly in good health, he has returned to his family’s home near Manado, in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province.
“Aldi’s story is indeed dramatic,” said Nurhidayat. “We are thankful to all - the ship’s captain and the Japanese authorities - that have been very helpful in ensuring Aldi’s return.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published