Man throws 4,800 bottled notes into the ocean, gets 3,100 replies (BLOG)

It's now been 15 years since Harold Hackett began making friends all over the world. He never meets them in person, and doesn't use the phone or internet for contact, but rather leaves his acquaintances up to the tides. Since 1996, Hackett has thrown over 4,800 bottles into the ocean from Prince Edward Island in Canada, and when the floating time capsules are discovered — along with the note that is placed in each one — a connection is made.

When the wind is right, the Canadian messenger takes to the beach, throwing a handful of Ocean Spray juice bottles each time. To date, over 3,000 people have found the notes and replied to Hackett, who includes his home address on each and every letter he tosses. His responses have come from the Eastern shores of the United States all the way to Ireland, South America, and Africa. Oftentimes it takes a while for the bottles to be found, with some taking well over a decade to be discovered.

The collection of letters, gifts, and postcards that Hackett has received from those who find his bottles is staggering, and he doesn't plan on stopping any time soon. He intends to continue tossing his plastic presents into the ocean for the foreseeable future and hopes to amass a few thousand more responses in the process. You can check out a video interview with Hackett on BBC.