WA sailor reunited with seafaring cat

A sailor who was rescued by a Chinese container ship off Western Australia's Mid West has been reunited with his four-legged first mate.

Grant McDonald and his cat Major Tom were forced to abandon their 13-metre yacht after it began taking on water and climb into a life raft 200km north of Geraldton on Friday, before being rescued by the Shi Dai 8.

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman said Mr McDonald was airlifted off the 225-metre container ship for medical treatment on Saturday but was not able to take his cat in the helicopter.

Mr McDonald thanked the captain and crew of the Shi Dai 8 when he and Major Tom were reunited on Tuesday after the container ship arrived in Geraldton Port.