A teenager survived 49 days at sea, drifting 1,200 miles from shore without food or water, relying on sheer determination.
While it may sound like a plot from a movie, Aldi Novel Adilang’s 49-day ordeal at sea was a real-life nightmare.
In July 2018, the Indonesian teenager drifted 1,200 miles from shore, surviving without food, clean water, or navigation equipment.
His incredible story of resilience and survival captivated the world.
A routine job turns into a disaster
At just 18 years old, Aldi was working on a “rompong”, a small fishing hut used to attract fish off the coast of Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island.
His job was simple—light the lamps to lure fish.
However, his situation quickly turned dangerous when disaster struck.
The ropes anchoring the hut to the seabed snapped, sending Aldi drifting further from the coast, already 77 miles out to sea.
With no steering equipment or safety gear, Aldi had no way to navigate or call for help.
All he could do was wait, stranded in the vastness of the ocean, uncertain of his fate.
Surviving against all odds
For the first week, Aldi survived on his limited food supply of rice, spices, and clean water.
However, once these ran out, he had to rely on his wits to stay alive
Teenager, Aldi caught fish and tried to cook them by burning pieces of the wooden fences from his hut.
When that failed, he resorted to eating the fish raw.
One of his biggest challenges was securing drinkable water.
Without a proper filter, he used his shirt to strain seawater, reducing the salt content enough to drink.
Incredibly, during his 49-day ordeal, 10 ships passed by without noticing the stranded teenager.
It wasn’t until August 31, when a Panamanian coal vessel spotted him, that his long wait for rescue ended.
The dramatic rescue
Aldi had unknowingly drifted 1,200 miles from his original location into the waters of Guam in the Pacific Ocean.
Desperate, he used his portable radio to call for help when he saw the passing ship.
The crew on the Panamanian vessel spotted him, and Aldi flung himself into the water, swimming to grab a rope ladder they had lowered.
Exhausted but relieved, he was pulled onboard.
The crew on the Panamanian vessel spotted him, and Aldi flung himself into the water.
He swam to grab a rope ladder they had lowered.
He stayed with the crew for a week as the ship made its way to Japan.
From there, he was flown back home to Indonesia, where he was finally reunited with his family.
This is not his first ordeal at sea
Amazingly, Aldi revealed that this wasn’t the first time he had been lost at sea.
Twice before, he had drifted while working in the fishing industry, though both times were shorter.
Once, he was lost for a week and rescued by the owner of the raft.
On another occasion, he spent two days afloat before being found.
Aldi had signed a one-year contract to work on the *rompong*, earning $134 per month.
His task was to keep the lamps lit to attract fish, but after his latest harrowing experience, Aldi vowed never to return to the job.
A story of remarkable endurance
Aldi’s story of survival has inspired many around the world.
Social media users marveled at his bravery and resilience, with one commenting, “Even with survival skills, I would have gone crazy being alone on that raft for so long.”
Another added, “Just imagine those horrifying nights alone in the middle of the ocean, living in anxiety and fear.”
Aldi Novel Adilang’s incredible survival story serves as a testament to human endurance and determination.
Despite facing unimaginable conditions, the teenager’s ability to stay alive for 49 days lost at sea is nothing short of miraculous.
His story reminds us of the incredible power of the human spirit to overcome even the most daunting challenges.