Overview
- Volunteer crews from the KNRM recovered the German skipper from De Kreupel on Sunday night after roughly 48–60 hours alone on the bird sanctuary island.
- His anchor failed on Friday, driving the yacht onto the rocky shore of the islet, where the boat was damaged and partly submerged.
- With a dead phone and no working radio, he improvised a shelter from sailcloth and endured cold and wind with only minimal provisions.
- A passing sailboat discovered the wreck and alerted rescuers, who took the man to Andijk for dry clothing, food and basic care; he is now recovering in a hotel.
- The KNRM and safety experts called the case unusual in the Netherlands and urged skippers to keep communications gear charged, carry signaling devices and share float plans, noting winterized waters see fewer potential spotters.