Frenchman Alain Delord was taking part in a solo round-the-world voyage when the mast on his yacht broke in heavy weather on the Southern Ocean — 500 nautical miles off the coast of Tasmania in Australia.

Delord, 63, was forced to spend three days adrift in treacherous conditions on a life raft.

He was rescued amid cheers from passengers aboard a luxury cruise ship that changed course to save him.

The lucky sailor toasted his rescuers with a glass of fine red wine once on board and thanked them for saving his life.

Click here for the full report by The Daily Mail.