Fisherman From South Sulawesi Oscillated For 11 Days To Bali, Eating Raw Rice And Drinking Rain Water

Sumaila Sikki (63) fisherman from Pangkep Sulsel wading in the waters of Tulamben, Karangasem, Bali (IST)

KARANASEM - A fisherman named Sumaila Sikki (63) from Pangkajene Islands (Pangkep) South Sulawesi, was drifting in the waters of Tulamben, Karangasem, Bali. This fisherman has been in the middle of the ocean for 11 days.

This South Sulawesi Pangkep fisherman was tossed around in the middle of the sea due to a damaged boat engine. The boat was then carried away by the current until it was found in the waters of Karangasem, Bali.

Sumaila admitted that he sailed on Sataner Island to look for fish. Suddenly a strong wind came.

"After that, a strong wind came. I, I started the engine and the road from the islands was off. I couldn't paddle, I couldn't go anywhere, because the current was strong. I raised the sail and I didn't know where it was going. I followed it. the wind, I go with the current. There are about 11 days," said Sumaila, Tuesday, June 29.

While drifting in the middle of the sea, Sumaila survived by drinking rainwater and eating raw rice mixed with rainwater.

"Drink rain water, because it ran out. It rained three times in one day, so I took the tarpaulin and kept it on top of my canoe. I just took the water and I put in the Aqua bottle, I just drank," he said.

"Eating raw rice because I'm hungry. The coffee has run out, fortunately there is rain water, if there is no rain water, it's gone. (Raw rice), yes, mix it so that it becomes mushy, there is a plate so it can be destroyed," continued Sumaila.

Sumaila, who was sailing with the ocean currents, finally found FADs in Tulamben. He was helped by local fishermen until the boat was pulled ashore.

"Meeting FADs of people, then I was found there by Karangasem people and (helped)," he explained.

Sumaila now hopes to be picked up by the village head of Satanger Pangkep Island to return home.

"If you don't want to pick me up, I will have a Karangasem person asking for help to take you to Sumbawa Island. Later to Sumbawa there will be many vehicles there to go home," he said