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?
10 Wonderful Places to Go Whale Watching
If you wish to encounter whales, here are the top 10 destinations to do so
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!
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!
Immerse Yourself in the Endless Beauty of Tahiti
If there ever was a time to crave a vacation on a tropical island it is now. This video will take you through the white sand beaches and the clear blue water of Tahiti.
This Family Makes Art. The Beach is Their Canvas
This family creates art together! Imagine what it would be like to wander on the beach and see their work in progress.
Swim With Some Deadly Mako Sharks in This 360° Video
The fastest shark in the world is known as the mako shark, and you can replicate the experience of swimming with them through this awesome VR video.
Why You Might Want to Consider Switching to a Futon Bed
In this article, we will learn what a real futon bed is and if it is better for spine health than a western bed.
Every Common Phrase Started Somehow...
The origins of these common phrases are fascinating.
WATCH: The Incredible Kindness of Strangers Is Wonderful
Strangers can be incredibly compassionate, and this is just as true when helping out an animal in distress. Watch this heart-warming video.
Through the Lens of Time: 20 Rare Historical Photos
These amazing historical photos shed light on some rarely-seen events of the past.
These Photos Will Help Restore Your Faith in Humanity!
These pictures will surely put a smile on your face, and they may even make you cry tears of happiness. However, most importantly, we hope they inspire you.
16 Wonderful Japanese Ideas We Should All Start Copying
The Japanese are unique. Their ways seem perfectly designed to help the population live happy fruitful lives. Here are 16 cool Japanese things we should copy.
These Vintage Photos are Both Funny & Bizarre!
Check out these 15 weird sights from the past, which you certainly won't see nowadays!
10 Richest People From History You Should Know About
A look at 10 of the richest people that lived in history. From emperor Mansa Musa to Muammar Gaddafi, it presents the insane sums these people had.
The Most Insightful Quotes From the Mind of Albert Einstein
Allow me to share some of the insightful quotes that came out of Albert Einstein's head
I Can’t Get Over These Astonishing Magic Tricks!
Enjoy this magical compilation of astonishing performances by illusionist Darcy Oake.
Amazing! 7 Facts That Have Changed Since Your School Days!
Over time, facts we consider to be completely true can change. Here are 7 facts that have changed since your school days.
Full Documentary: Genghis Khan's Legendary Mongol Empire
Learn all about his incredible conquests of the legendary Genghis Khan this cinematic full-length documentary.
The Mandela Effect: When Everyone Misremembers History
The Mandela Effect is a strange phenomenon, where large amounts of people seem to remember things differently.
Do You Remember Playing Like These Photographed Children?
In the days before cellphones, the internet, and the like, we children had to learn how to make our fun. Remember playing like these retro kids?
The Many Ways Companies Try to Avoid Age Discrimination Claims
Companies who are looking to ditch their older employees can be creative in the ways they do so in order to avoid discrimination claims. Here's how...
A Day in the Life of an Ancient Egyptian Doctor...
This video will show you what it was like to be a doctor in ancient Egypt.
You Will Love This Collection of Rare Historical Photos
This amazing collection of vintage photographs will give you a unique glimpse of the past.
20th Century: The MOST Popular Breakfast of Every Decade
Breakfast shape-shifted quite a bit during the 20th century. Discover the most popular breakfast delicacy of every decade in this article
I Had No Idea These Brand Names Are Actually Acronyms
There are loads of brand names out there that are actually acronyms, and here are some of the most surprising ones!
Dogs Can Teach Us a Lot About Friendship...
While dogs may be man's best friend, dogs’ best friends are undoubtedly other dogs, as these adorable pictures go to show.
INTERACTIVE: 12 Fascinating Facts About Napoleon Bonaparte
Whether you're a history aficionado or a curious learner, these insights offer a unique glimpse into the man behind the legend of Napoleon.
13 Fascinating Facts About International Intercourse!
These facts will shed a fascinating light on intercourse in the world.
10 Underrated Movies That Should be Seen by More People
Imploring all cinema buffs to check out these criminally underrated movies!
Take a Look At the Many Secrets of Life in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt always fascinates us. But do we really know how daily life in that civilization was like? Watch his video to learn more.
13 Insightful & Thoughtful Quotes by John F. Kennedy
In this article, we will explore some of the best quotes by John F. Kennedy, which reveal the depth of his wisdom and his dedication to public service.
Found It! Rare Old Photos of Famous People
These rare photos of some of the most well known names in the world give us a glimpse into what is true.
20th Century Slang People Rarely Use Nowadays
Did you know that these 20th-century slang words and phrases are considered outdated?
These Female Celebs Have Aged Like Fine Wine (28 Pics)
These female celebrities are aging just like fine wine.
Historic Photos From Days of Christmas' Past...
Christmas is said to be a time of love, cheer, and human compassion. These photos may be decades-old, but the stories they tell are not much different than the stories of today.
50 Years On, Looking Back at the Great Train Robbery
The Great Train Robbery was one of the greatest heists in British history. This documentary could be the last chance to find out the answers everyone wants...
The Epic Battle of Stalingrad Comes to Life
One of the most epic battles in history, and the biggest of WWII comes to life and explored in this in-depth video.
Archeologists Are Dumbfounded By These Discoveries
These archelogical sites have been proven to be difficult to explain.
Can You Spot the Camouflaged Creatures in These Photos?
These wonderful animals have gone into hiding. Can you find them? If not, just click on the photo to reveal all!
A Few Beautiful Thoughts About True Friendship...
We should never forget the gift that is true friendship...
What is HAMAS? The Terror Organization Explained
What IS Hamas? What are its intentions, and how did it get started?
Enjoy These Brilliant Documentaries for Free on YouTube
Done with your Netflix’s docuseries supply? Check out these wonderful free documentaries on YouTube next.
Uncover Château de Versailles' Dirtiest Secrets...
Everyone's got one bad habit or another and royalty is no exception. This documentary exposes many of France's dirtiest secrets from the 17th Century.
This Hilarious Song Perfectly Sums Up My "Efficient" Memory
This hilarious song perfectly sums up or senior moments.
This Cat Has Broken the Record for the Loudest Purr!
This Cat Has Purred Her Way Into the Record Books!
The Truth Behind These Animal Myths Will Shock You
Here are a list of facts about animals we thought to be true.
These Famous Characters Are Based On Real People!
Did you know that certain characters draw heavily on real-life people? Here are 10 iconic characters that were based on people that really existed.