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German Sailor Rescued After Days Stranded on Uninhabited IJsselmeer Islet

The Dutch sea rescue service calls the episode rare for the Netherlands, urging recreational skippers to keep communications working, leave a float plan.

Overview

  • The accident began Friday near the bird islet De Kreupel when the anchor failed and the boat was driven onto rocks.
  • With no working radio, a dead phone and little food or water, the sailor improvised a shelter from sails and waited roughly two days.
  • A passing yacht spotted the wreck Sunday evening and alerted KNRM, which took the man to Andijk for care, warm clothing and lodging.
  • Rescuers described him as frightened and weakened in wet, dirty clothes, saying he feared he would die before being found.
  • KNRM highlighted sparse off‑season traffic on the IJsselmeer as a risk factor and, in a separate callout the same day, aided a windsurfer near IJmuiden.