THE crew of a rescue patrol that went in search of an elderly Frenchman who swam to a Perth beach after his yacht took on water were themselves stranded by the wild storm.
Denis Pallas, 73, emerged remarkably unscathed after spending several hours in treacherous seas, having hit a reef as he attempted to sail to Carnarvon in his 11.6 metre yacht with his pet dog.
Police said the man issued an emergency radio message around 6.50pm (WST) on Tuesday and despite language difficulties, he made it clear the vessel had engine trouble, winds of nearly 100km/h had ripped away his sails and its anchors were no longer secure.
He was asked to activate an emergency radio beacon, prompting water-based rescue crews to search for the yacht in waters off Alkimos, while a volunteer sea rescue group combed the beach.
The man then radioed that the yacht was taking on water and fears mounted when he was no longer contactable.
But at around 10.50pm (WST), the land-based rescue team found Mr Pallas alive, in his life jacket, on the beach at Alkimos.
His yacht was later found beached a few kilometres north of where he was discovered.
Water Police spokesman Peter Trevitt praised the rescuers, saying conditions were so foul, they couldn't return to their home base in North Fremantle and instead had to moor overnight at Hillarys.
"It was howling in from the south west," Mr Trevitt told AAP.
"It was a huge effort."
The waves were up to seven metres, he said.
"The 30 metres patrol vessel was turned 180 degrees on its axis, pointing the wrong way at one stage."
There would be no search for the man's dog, which remains missing after being swept overboard, despite wearing a life jacket.
"We work to a point where we know the people or the person on board is safe, and after that, it's at the hands of the elements."
Mr Pallas was taken to hospital for a check-up, but only had a scrape on his forehead.
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