Wellington  - Two Italian sailors stranded on their crippled yacht in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for three days were rescued Thursday by an oil tanker that steamed 800 nautical miles to their aid, New Zealand authorities reported.

The Rescue Coordination Centre said the tanker, Hellespont Trooper, lifted Pietro Fresi, 64, and his son, Vittorio Fresi, 34, to safety at 8:30 am Thursday (2030 GMT Wednesday).

The pair had been awaiting rescue since appealing for help on Monday, when the mast on their 10.4-metre yacht Onitron broke in an early morning storm and the engine failed when they were about 3,000 kilometres from New Zealand.

The experienced sailors left Italy in September planning to retrace the clipper route of sailing ships in the 19th century on a voyage expected to take up to 300 days.

They were reported to be fit and well after being rescued by the tanker's crew in strong winds and heavy seas.

The tanker, which diverted off course to help them at the request of New Zealand authorities, who have international responsibility for maritime rescue operations in the area, was continuing on its voyage to Argentina, officials said. (dpa)