A Dutch sailor – visiting Bermuda for the 35th time – aims to prove that people do not need a large bank account to be great seafarers.

Martijn Dijkstra, who has sailed to Bermuda aboard either Rotop or Prinses Mia, said he lived on about $2,000 a year.

“Normally, people can spend $30,000 on a boat engine. Some believe that fancy technology and equipment is needed to sail away, but people who want to sail should just do it.

“Sailing is slowly dying out, so I hope to get more people sailing.”

He first came to Bermuda in 2005 and the island’s beauty as well as the friendliness of the people are what has kept him coming back.

“Bermuda has become my second home and I like coming here a lot,” he said. “I love seeing all my friends again and have kept in touch with most of them from 17 years ago.”

Mr Dijskstra has noticed a lot more negativity in Bermuda compared with when he first arrived.

He said: “I am sad when I hear people calling into the radio station on Sundays, because things were a lot happier and calmer 17 years ago. Now, a lot more people sadly complain. You can really see the difference.”

This is Mr Dijkstra’s first trip back to Bermuda since the Covid-19 pandemic began. He arrived around three weeks ago and plans to repaint his boat while here. All the paint used for his boat is recovered from the dump.

He intends to stay until around January and will then sail down to the Caribbean.