KEY POINTS:
A solo yachtsman who set off an emergency beacon has received medical treatment for food poisoning but has chosen to stay on his yacht .
An airforce P3 Orion was sent to look for the yachtsman after the RCCNZ received a distress signal from the yachtsman's emergency locator beacon about 6.30pm yesterday.
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) mission controller Andrew Tarr said the yachtsman was about 240 nautical miles east of Lord Howe Island.
After making contact with the skipper at 11pm, the yachtsman said he had suffered a medical emergency and requested assistance, he said.
An Australian container ship, Yarrunga, was diverted to assist and met the yacht at 7.30am today, however the man reported his condition as improving and he did not feel the need to leave his yacht.
The Yarrunga gave advice and dropped medical supplies to the yachtsman who had suspected food poisoning.
"He is confident his condition is improving and is now heading towards New Zealand," Mr Tarr said.
- NZPA
