French maritime authorities reported that a British sailor lost at sea was discovered after his yacht was wrecked near the southwest French coastline amid heavy storms on the weekend.

Storm Herminia ravaged western France at the time of the search. The French national weather agency placed the Ile-et-Vilaine region in western France on alert Monday due to flood risks.

In a late Sunday statement, the Prefet Maritime de l'Atlantique stated that the distress beacon was detected on the yacht around 80 km (50 mi) west of Lacanau. A helicopter sent to the scene located the sailboat.

Two divers were sucked aboard the helicopter, and they found an empty life-raft.

The man was also searched for by a cargo ship and the Spanish hospital vessel Esperanza Del Mar.

The search was suspended early Sunday morning after several hours and the lack of new information.

(source: Reuters)