Australia navy rescue British yachtsman

CANBERRA, Aug 2 (Reuters) An Australian navy helicopter today rescued a lone British yachtsman after his vessel ran aground on a reef in heavy seas east of the Australian mainland, rescue officials said.

The 55-year-old man, who had been sailing from London to Australia, ran aground on Elizabeth Reef, 100 nautical miles north of Lord Howe Island, yesterday afternoon.

He sent a distress signal from his 12-metre sloop, named Lamachan, at 1230 IST and a navy frigate sailed today morning from a base south of Sydney.

The unnamed man was picked up by an Australian navy Sea King rescue helicopter, a spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority told Reuters.

''The gentleman was winched onto the helicopter and he was taken to Lord Howe island. He was in good condition,'' she said.

Lord Howe Island is 600 km off the mainland's east coast.

The yachtsman sailed from London on September 29 last year, the spokeswoman said. His most recent port of call had been the Pacific island of Noumea, and he had been headed to Newcastle on the Australian mainland when his boat ran aground.

A catamaran remained near the yacht overnight and search-and-rescue aircraft circled until the helicopter arrived.

Elizabeth Reef is at latitude 29o56'S and longitude 159o05'E, and is regarded as one of the southernmost coral reefs in the world.

REUTERS PD RN1445