An Australian yachtsman was rescued after spending hours gripping a beacon in the open ocean.

The Australian sailor was found clinging to a beacon in the Pacific Ocean after being rescued from the sea.

David Simpson, 64, was thrown overboard when a powerful wave struck his boat near Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, according to Dinogo affiliate 9News.

Watching helplessly as his boat and dog drifted away, he swam nearly half a mile to reach a water beacon, where he managed to latch onto the ladder with the help of a wave.

Simpson recounted to 9News, 'The wave hit the side of the boat as I was securing the dinghy, which had started drifting. A rope snapped, and the dinghy struck me, causing me to fall roughly 2.5 to 3 meters onto my ribs and into the water.'

Later, another sailor found the unmanned boat, with its engine still running and the dog aboard, and immediately alerted the authorities.

Simpson explained that he did everything possible to attract attention, even removing his shorts to wave them in the air. 'Maybe that’s why no one stopped—because I was naked,' he joked.

Three hours after the alarm was raised, a helicopter located Simpson 1.6 miles from his vessel, spotting him in the dark.

Ian Hunt, the commander of the Mooloolaba coastguard, told 9News, 'He’s incredibly fortunate to have reached that beacon.'

Simpson’s Staffordshire bull terrier, Mitch, was rescued by a team of surf lifesavers, according to Surf Lifesaving Queensland.

The Mooloolaba coastguard reported on Wednesday that efforts to recover the now-stranded vessel are still in progress.