Water police from the Sunshine Coast have been involved in the dramatic rescue of a elderly solo sailor who got into trouble at sea.
The man sent a distress signal shortly before 10am Wednesday which was received by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
His 10-metre single-masted yacht was located 167kms to the east of Double Island Point.
AMSA diverted the merchant vessel Skiathos to the location of the yacht. The Skiathos located the yacht and 70-year-old and brought the vessel alongside.
AMSA tasked Melbourne-based Challenger rescue aircraft and Queensland-based Royal Australian Air Force Helicopter to attend the scene.
Due to the sailor’s injuries, he was unable to be safely airlifted from his yacht before nightfall.
A Queensland Police vessel from Mooloolaba arrived on the scene Wednesday night and transported the sailor back to land for medical attention Thursday morning.
AMSA thanked the captain and crew of the Skiathos for their efforts to assist the injured sailor and keep him safe until the Queensland Police could attend the scene via boat.
