"One by One, Colleagues Disappear into the Sea"…Indonesian Sailor Survives 2 Weeks Adrift with Floating Debris in the Open Ocean

An Indonesian crew member on a squid fishing boat was dramatically rescued after drifting at sea for two weeks clinging to a plank following a shipwreck. (Photo by Pixabay. The photo is unrelated to the article.)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] An Indonesian crew member on a squid fishing boat was dramatically rescued after drifting at sea for two weeks clinging to a plank following a shipwreck.

According to Tribune News on the 27th, Muhamat Kartoyo (18), a crew member drifting in the waters of Taka Tambora, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, was rescued by fishermen on the afternoon of the 20th.

Muhamat had boarded a fishing vessel eight months ago, departing from Muara Baru Port in Jakarta, and was continuing squid fishing operations when the accident occurred on the 9th of this month off the coast of Bali.

The fishing boat carrying Muhamat collided with a passenger ship, capsized, and sank into the sea. The seven crew members who were together each held onto pieces of planks and endured, but one by one they disappeared into the sea, leaving only Muhamat remaining.

He said, "My colleagues drowned one by one," and "I survived by clinging to a plank, occasionally drinking seawater."

Among the six other crew members besides Muhamat, only one body was found, and the other five bodies have not been recovered.

Muhamat's family posted the rescue news on Facebook, saying, "We are just thankful that he came back alive," and added, "He was rescued in a very weak condition but is not in any life-threatening state and is gradually regaining strength."