The boy miraculously survived 49 days adrift in the ocean
In September 2018, the whole world was buzzing about the story of a young Indonesian man miraculously surviving nearly 2 months at sea. The story seems to only happen in fiction movies, but unexpectedly it is so real that it is hard to believe.
Nightmare comes
On July 14, 2018, the fishing tent of 19-year-old Aldi Novel Adilang was broken by a storm. Aldi had no way of maneuvering to shore and just drifted in the Pacific Ocean. He crossed a distance of more than 1,920 km from the waters of Sulawesi (Indonesia) to the island of Guam (USA).
Before his arduous adventure begins, the 19-year-old is often alone in a rompong – a floating fish trap with a small wooden hut equipped with a gas stove, cooking utensils and a generator.
Aldi was hired by the owner of the rompong to light the lights around every night for 6 months to attract fish. Each week, the owner would send someone to collect the fish and replenish Aldi’s supply of food, fuel and water. He earns 130 USD a month from this job.
On July 14, a storm tore the rope anchoring the rompong, causing it to drift off the coast of Manado, northeast of Indonesia, about 2,000 meters from the capital Jakarta.
Aldi tried to attract the attention of passing ships by waving and flashing lights with his clothes. However, all efforts were in vain.
The Indonesian consulate said in a Facebook post that Aldi was missing until August 31. He was discovered in the waters off Guam by a cargo ship registered in Panama (Central American country). . This ship is called MV Arpeggio. It is on its way to Japan.
“Every time he saw a big ship, he said he was hopeful. But more than 10 ships passed in front of him, none of them stopped or saw Aldi.”Fajar Firdaus, a diplomat at the Indonesian consulate in Osaka (Japan), told the Jakarta Post. “Aldi said he was scared and cried when he saw himself drifting further and further away from the shore.”.
Faith makes life
Aldi recalled his days at sea: “I stayed in the wooden tent for a month and 18 days. The food ran out after the first week.” When the gas ran out, he caught fish and broke wood from the fence around the raft to make a fire. There are days when it doesn’t rain a drop. Aldi has to use clothes to filter the salt in sea water to drink.
The 19-year-old boy repeatedly thought he would die at sea. He said there were times when he felt like he was going crazy and thought about jumping into the sea to commit suicide.
At those moments, Aldi recalled her parents’ advice: “When you’re desperate, pray”. In the morning he fished for food, in the afternoon he sat down to read the Bible.
“Every time I see a train, I turn on the light and I can’t remember how many ships have passed without noticing me. I thought I would never see my parents again, one day I will never see my parents again. also pray”Aldi said.
Once, Aldi’s rompong was attacked by a shark. “I can only pray that the shark disappears.”he told news site TribunManado.
Miracles happen
After 49 days of drifting, early on the morning of August 31, Aldi saw a boat passing. “I quickly lit the lamp, shouting ‘help, help, help’ over the radio”Aldi said.
The train continued to pass more than 1.6km and suddenly changed direction towards Aldi. “Maybe because I speak English. Then they talk to me over the radio.” Aldi thought.
Emannuel Soriano, a sailor on the cargo ship Panama, heard Aldi’s cry for help. Soriano reported to Captain Narciso Santillan and he ordered the ship to change course to save lives.
Image of Aldi when he was rescued on the Panama ship.
It took four times for the ship to get close enough to save Aldi without endangering the wooden tent. The guy clung to a lifebuoy floating in the sea, then was towed back to the ship.
Aldi was given a towel and snacks by the sailors, then clothes and food. The ship’s chef even cut Aldi’s hair.
Aldi arrived in Japan on September 6. He then boarded a plane back to Indonesia when consular officials verified his identity. The Indonesian Consulate in Japan said Aldi finally officially returned to his home country on September 9 in good health.
The story of Aldi’s miraculous survival attracted media attention and public opinion around the world at the time.
Source: NBC News
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