Hong Kong (CNN) -- A round-the-world yachtsman is on his way to dry land after spending almost three days adrift in a life raft buffeted by strong winds and rough seas off the southern coast of Australia. Alain Delord, a French sailor, was rescued by an adventure cruise ship 500 nautical miles south west of Hobart, Tasmania late on Sunday, a spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) told CNN. Also read: Gold nugget worth $300,000 discovered in Australia The vessel, the MV Orion, made a 60-hour detour to respond to the distress signal and its captain said the rescue took place in "scary" weather conditions, with poor visibility and waves that swelled up to 3.5 meters.
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Solo yachtsman rescued after three days adrift in life raft
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Cruise ship made a 60-hour detour to recover the French sailor
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Alain Delord abandoned his yacht after mast broke in rough weather
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Delord and cruise ship on way to Hobart, Australia
The cruise ship is due to arrive in @placeholder around 8 a.m. local time on Tuesday (7 p.m.