PORT Macquarie Marine Rescue volunteers and two paramedics travelled 11 kilometres offshore to rescue an injured yachstman evening.
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A yacht radioed for help after the boom slammed into a 43-year-old crew member late this afternoon, marine rescue spokesman Geoff Shelton said.
After a 90-minute trip to the yacht, the return journey was a lot quicker and the injured man was taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital at 8.45pm.
It is understood a chopper was on standby for possible transport to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The man has serious head injuries and is in a critical condition.
Five marine rescue volunteers and two paramedics took 90 minutes to make the trip to the stricken crewman.
"It was pretty wild out there by all accounts," Mr Shelton said. "They were facing 30 to 40 knot winds."
One paramedic boarded the 10.4m yacht to assess the patient and, Mr Shelton said, and at one stage a helicopter evacuation was being considered.