Sailor, 62, safe after air rescue from stricken yacht off Binalong Bay

A SOLO yachtsman has been rescued from his stricken vessel in waters off on Tasmania’s East Coast.

A 62-year-old Sydney sailor was rescued from this stricken yacht off Tasmania's East Coast earlier today. Picture: WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER

A SOLO yachtsman has been rescued from his stricken vessel in waters off Tasmania’s East Coast.

The Westpac Rescue helicopter today plucked the 62-year-old Sydney yachtsman from waters off Binalong Bay.

The man was sailing from Hobart to Sydney on a 34-foot yacht when bad weather and a large swell damaged the sail, with the engine subsequently overheating.

The yachtsman called police for help while 35 nautical miles east of Binalong Bay about 10.50am.

He deployed his own raft and the helicopter crew winched him to safety.

The sailor was examined by a paramedic on his arrival back in Hobart as a precaution.

Originally published as Sailor, 62, safe after air rescue from stricken yacht off Binalong Bay