Solo sailor: 'I won't leave stricken yacht'

A lone sailor has refused to leave his stricken yacht about 100 nautical miles off Fremantle.

The 13.5 metre Moonstar was badly damaged in Friday night’s storm and began taking on water.

The yachtsman, who was not hurt, set off distress beacons and an Australian Maritime Safety Authority aircraft from Perth reached him this morning.

Crew spoke to the sailor but he told them he would not leave the yacht that has sustained damage to its rigging, rudder and steering.