The Antarctic cruise ship The Orion has rescued solo round-the-world yachtsman Alain Delord who has been stranded on a life raft in remote waters southwest of Tasmania since Friday.
A spokeswoman for the the Australian Maritime Safety Authority confirmed that Delord, 63, has been picked up by the ship.
Delord, who set off at the beginning of October, abandoned his yacht Tchouk Tchouk Nougaton after it lost its mast and its hull was damaged in rough weather.
The location, about 500 nautical miles southwest of Hobart, was too distant for a helicopter rescue with MSA using three aircraft to maintain contact with the sailor until a vessel can reach him.
The Orion, with 100 passengers and 80 crew on board, was returning from Antarctica and heading for the world heritage-listed Macquarie Island when it responded to the call for help.
Delord had received an air drop of food, water, communications equipment and a survival suit while he waited for his rescue.
