Sailor rescued after two days stuck on uninhabited Dutch island

A man has been rescued after spending more than two days stranded on a small uninhabited island in the IJsselmeer, after his yacht came loose from its moorings and ran aground on rocks.

The man had anchored at De Kreupel, a nature reserve east of Medemblik, on Friday to enjoy the peace and quiet, but became stuck when his boat broke free and was blown onto rocks.

With no working radio or distress equipment on board, and his phone battery dead, the man had no way to call for help. Poor weather meant few boats were on the water, and no one noticed the stranded sailor.

The man used a sail to make a makeshift tent but had no food or water. He was finally spotted on Sunday morning by a passing yacht, whose crew raised the alarm. A lifeboat team from Andijk brought him safely ashore.

According to the KNRM, the man was slightly weakened but otherwise in good condition. He was given coffee, a shower and dry clothes in Andijk before being taken to a hotel to recover.

He told rescuers he was extremely relieved to see them, as he had begun to fear he would not survive the ordeal. The KNRM said the case highlights the importance of having emergency equipment such as a marine radio, phone or flares on board.