NSW police reach stricken yacht

A yacht stranded off the coast of Port Stephens, on the NSW mid north coast, is being towed back to Coffs Harbour after engine trouble.

The sole person on board - a 46-year-old man from Sydney - is not believed to have been injured, police said on Sunday.

The 16-metre single-masted sailing boat sent a distress radio beacon on Saturday night, 200 nautical miles offshore, reporting engine problems.

Water police left Port Stephens late on Saturday, reaching the stricken boat on Sunday afternoon.

The vessel, believed to have been sailing to New Zealand, is now under tow back to Coffs Harbour.