This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
On November 5, 2019, Kushila Stein, a 45-year-old New Zealand tourist, was rescued from the Aegean Sea, north of Crete, after surviving 37 hours adrift in a dinghy.
According to reports, Ms Stein rationed a handful of boiled sweets to sustain herself during her ordeal, which began when she fell behind a yacht she was helping to sail from southern Turkey to Athens.
Ms Stein, an experienced sailor, used a red bag on her head and a mirror to attract attention, and even wrote her mother's name and contact details on the side of the dinghy, fearing she might not survive.
After an extensive search involving six vessels, a helicopter, and an underwater drone, the Greek Coast Guard found Ms Stein 101km north of Crete, where she was taken to hospital for treatment of exposure and dehydration.
Her mother, Wendy Stein, told Stuff.co.nz that her daughter's training in sea survival 'might have saved her life.'
Ms Stein's ordeal began when she decided to 'stretch her legs' by sailing a dinghy to the island of Folegandros on Friday, but strong winds pushed her out to sea after one of her oars fell overboard.
When Ms Stein did not return to the yacht, the owner reported her disappearance to Greek authorities on Saturday morning, prompting a search and rescue operation.
