Theodorus `` Dorus '' Rijkers ( January 28 1847 â `` April 19 1928 ) was a famous Dutch lifeboat captain and folk hero , he is most famous for his sea rescues of 487 shipwrecked victims over a total of 38 rescue operations and at least 25 before joining the lifeboat-service . Theodorus `` Dorus '' Rijkers ( 28 January 1847 â `` 19 April 1928 ) was a famous Dutch lifeboat captain and folk hero , most famous for his sea rescues of 487 shipwrecked victims over a total of 38 rescue operations , and at least 25 before joining the lifeboat-service .