Teenager Rescued After Being Adrift on the Ocean for 49 Days

An Indonesian teenager who found himself adrift at sea for 49 days on a floating fish trap survived by catching and cooking fish and drinking seawater he filtered through a t-shirt, Indonesian authorities said Tuesday

According to a Facebook post from the Indonesian Consulate, Aldi Novel Adilang, 19, was living and working on a small fish trap (known locally as a rompong), where he would stay for months at a time, lighting kindle lamps to try and attract local fish to the area. Supplies were delivered weekly to Adilang, which didn't give him much to work. 

In July, the rope anchoring the floating wooden structure 78 miles from shore broke, setting his shack adrift. The vessel was swept out to sea and Aldilang found himself floating in the middle of the Pacific ocean for nearly two months on the tiny structure that does not have a way to steer or propel it in any way.

When Adilang eventually ran out of supplies, he began to use wood from his vessel to make a fire to cook fish he caught. He also survived by drinking seawater filtered through his shirt.

According to Adilang, he saw more than ten ships sail past him, but they didn't notice him adrift on the tiny structure. It wasn't until the MV Arpeggio discovered Adilang floating on the rompong in Japanese waters near Guam on August 31. 

The 19-year-old was reunited with his family in Manado in Indonesia and is said to be recovering following the extended time at sea. 


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