An Indonesian teenager has made it safely back to dry land after being adrift at sea in a wooden hut for a staggering 49 days. Aldi Novel Adiliang was rescued by a passing freighter after he was found adrift some 1,200 miles off the coast of North Sulawesi.
The hut he was stationed in broke free from its moorings during a storm and proceeded to carry him out to sea. He admitted crying frequently and being scared while adrift. It’s believed that more than 10 ships passed Aldi when he was adrift before he was found, but none of them saw him or stopped to pick him up.
Adilang, who’s believed to be 18 or 19 years old, survived by soaking his clothes in seawater then squeezing them out, and cooking fish caught from the ocean using parts of the wooden hut in order to create a fire.
Some say that the teenager’s experience in isolation at sea came in very handy during his 49-day ordeal. The floating hut, or rompong, that he was stationed on is usually moored some 80 miles off the Indonesian coast. His job was to light lamps at nightfall to lure fish into a trap. Adilang would do this job for up to six months at a time, with only a walkie-talkie and the odd weekly supply drop for human contact.
When the hut broke free of its moorings, Adilang did have a small supply of food with him, but it ran out after just a week. In addition, the only respite that he got from drinking seawater was the occasional rainfall.
After one month and 18 days of being adrift at sea, Adilang was rescued by the Arpeggio, a bulk carrier. He was already in the territorial waters of Guam at this point. He wasn’t actually spotted by members of the vessel’s crews – he successfully managed to alert them to his plight via his walkie-talkie. When aboard, he was promptly fed and given fresh clothes. The bulk carrier took him to Japan prior to him being reunited with his family in Indonesia.
What’s even more amazing about this story is that it marked the third time that Adilang’s hut had broken free of his moorings. He was lucky enough to have been rescued by his boss on the two previous occasions.
Perhaps sensibly, Adilang doesn’t appear to be returning to the rompong business any time soon – he decided that he doesn’t want to after his third time adrift in the space of two years. This means that there’s now a vacancy at his former employer, who operates about 50 rompongs off the coast. Contracts last six months, and the job pays $130 per month. Any takers?
Lift Your Spirits With These Animal Rescue Stories!
Forget about the damsel in distress. This time, nature calls, and we must answer!
This Cat’s Love Language is Growling!
Instead of going to a shelter, McKenzie got a new life!
Fred is a Sailor Cat, Living the Boat Life...
Like a fish in the water, or, in this case, like a cat on a boat!
This is One of the Most Fascinating Natural Phenomenon
Get ready to meet a whole lot of grunion fish, who are most famous for their spectacular land mating ritual.
These Water Toys Are Unlike Anything I've Ever Seen Before
No trip to the beach or the lake would be complete without bringing out some awesome water toys, but we bet you've never seen any like these!
I've Never Seen Waves Look So Majestic Before...
After a long ten years, Australian photographer Ray Collins has finally released his latest book entitled 'Water & Light'. Check it our here.
These 11 Alcoholic Drinks Have a Fascinating History!
In this article, we’ll tell you about the truly fascinating origins of 11 time-honored cocktails!
A Fascinating History of the New Year’s Eve
Did you know that New Year's hasn’t always been celebrated on January 1?
7 Notable Han Dynasty Inventions That Changed the World
Here, we look at some of the great inventions from the Han dynasty of China that had a great impact on the world.
This May Be the Most Amazing Watch Ever Created...
Luxury watch makers Van Cleef & Arpels have created this dazzling creation, showing the planets and our sun while a small comet moves along a track to tell us the time.
Find Humor & Inspiration in These Douglas Adams Quotes
May you find inspiration and humor in these quotes by Douglas Adams.
Fact or Fiction? Debunking History's Most Common Myths
Update your knowledge of the Middle Ages by learning the truth behind these 12 common myths.
Don’t Say These Words Abroad, You Might Be Misunderstood
These 15 words are all similar to English ones, but they mean something completely different in other languages
You Will Love This Collection of Rare Historical Photos
This amazing collection of vintage photographs will give you a unique glimpse of the past.
6 Ancient Kingdoms You Were Never Taught About
You've probably never heard about these fascinating ancient kingdoms.
This Man Will Teach You to Speak So You Are Always Heard
Julian Treasure is a sound expert who has been researching human speech and the psychology behind it and is now sharing his findings, teaching people how to speak so that others will listen.
13 People Who Proved that Age is Nothing But a Number
If you think that celebrating your golden jubilee means you're past your prime, then these 13 people have something to teach you...
We Bet You Never Knew the Origins of These Common Idioms!
We bet you use the following 8 common idioms all the time, but have you ever stopped to take the time to think about where they came from?
How Clean Are Hotel Rooms, Really? Find Out the Answer!
Hotel rooms always look clean and fresh, but are they?
WOW! These Men Must Have Nerves of Steel!
Vince Reffet and Noah Bahnson are thrill-seekers who love jumping off mountains. In this breathtaking video, they fly through the Alps.
These Acrobatic Performances Will Make Your Jaw Drop
A breathtaking compilation of the 100 best female acrobatic performances by Cirque du Soleil
Did You Know These Vintage Items Might Be Worth Something?
Did you know that there are certain items in your home that might just be worth something? Take a look at these 12 vintage items that may be valuable.
What Does the Color of an Egg Yolk Mean? Find Out Here!
Ever wondered what the color of an egg yolk says about the quality of the egg? If so, then wonder no more...
Hilarious: The Best Comebacks in History!
We often think that the art of insulting is mostly born of modern times. But we'd be mistaken...
This Will Change Your Perspective On Anger
Anger is an often misunderstood emotion. These facts about anger will change your views on this common emotion.
Don’t Throw Away Your Used Teabags Just Yet
Teabags aren’t only for making delicious cups of teas. Find out what other uses they hold in this helpful video.
Watch: Some Dogs Take to Fishing Like Ducks to Water
Some dogs take to fishing like ducks to water.
The Real Bonnie and Clyde: 7 Facts About the Outlaw Couple
Media depicts them as glamourous, fearless outlaws. But what was behind the myth of Bonnie and Clyde? These 7 lesser-known facts tell their story.
5 Classic Suspense Books That Will Mess with Your Mind
These classic suspense thrillers should be a must on every book lover's shelf.
Handwriting Says More About People Than You Ever Imagined
Handwriting can reveal no less than 5,000 different personality traits. Find out what can be revealed about an individual from their handwriting.
15 Latin Phrases We Use to This Day Without Even Realizing
As an English, speaker you likely know more Latin than you ever thought you did. Just look at these 15 Latin phrases and see if you know what they mean...
20 Cognitive Biases Ruining Our Decision Making Process
If you find it hard to make a decision, these cognitive stumbling blocks could be what's affecting your behavior.
10 Film Noir Movies You Simply Have to Watch
If you're new to this genre and even if you're an old fan, these 10 classic film noir movies are a must-watch for anyone.
Fascinating Photos: Actors vs. the Real People They Played
Take a look yourself and make your own mind as to how faithful the actors were to the people they played in movies.
13 Books That Will Make Your Time Fly
These times of social distancing are perfect for catching up on your reading. Check out this list of 13 must reads to get started.
Megiddo: The Story of the Oldest Battle in History
Join us as we explore the dramatic events and enduring legacy of this pivotal conflict that shaped the course of human civilization.
Incredible History: Looking Through 21 Fascinating Photos
Enjoy this collection of historical pictures.
She Will Never Forget Her Marriage Proposal. Ever.
This is a Marriage Proposal For the Books...
Rare Celebrity Pics from the '90s You Haven't Seen Before
These celebrity photos from the 1990s will make you nostalgic.
You Won't Believe These Stories of the White House
The White House stands as a glorious monument to American politics, and in its 200 years of history, has had quite a few interesting encounter!
10 of the Most Interesting Popes in History
The papacy has been ongoing ever since the time of St. Peter, but some popes stand out as being more historically significant than others. Take a look.
Does Regrowing Vegetables From Scraps Actually Work?
You're likely aware that you can regrow certain vegetables using scraps. But the real question is, does this method work for every type of vegetable?
Planes Rarely Cross Over the Pacific Ocean, But Why?
Even planes flying directly to Japan from the western US fly all the way through Alaska. Have you even wondered why this is the case?
17 Inventive Wedding Invitations No One Would Say No To
Some wedding invitations are pretty bland, but not these genius creations. Here are 17 invitations that no one would ever turn down.
12 Mind-Blowing History Facts You Never Knew Were True!
These historical facts may not sound particularly likely, but trust us, they're really true!
We Got Hold of Some Rare Historical Pics. Want to See?
It’s time for another fascinating collection of historical photos.
These 10 Children Already Made Outstanding Achievements
Some people achieve great things at a shockingly young age. Check out this list of records broken by children to get inspired.