The Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew today rescued a solo yachtsman from his stricken vessel in waters off Binalong Bay on Tasmania’s east coast.

A 62 year old Sydney man was sailing from Hobart to Sydney on a 34 foot yacht when bad weather and a large swell damaged the sail, causing the engine to overheat.

The yachtsman called Police for help from waters 35 nautical miles east of Binalong Bay about 10.50am this morning.

The yachtsman deployed his own raft and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew winched him to safety.

The yachtsman was attended to by a paramedic on his arrival back in Hobart as a precaution.