Monday, August 18, 2008 --- 7:50 a.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- A man whose empty sailboat was found drifting in the waters of Green Bay was found alive early Monday and was rescued by helicopter.

Brown County sheriff's officials say the 56-year-old Allouez (AL'-oh-way) man was reported missing by his wife after he failed to return home by 4 p.m. Sunday. His empty sailboat was later found in the bay between Grassy and Kidney islands.

A Coast Guard helicopter spotted the man in the water about 2:00 a.m. Sunday. A rescue diver dropped into the water and pulled the man to safety on board the helicopter. He was taken to Austin Straubel International Airport, then transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Authorities say the man is in good condition. He told rescuers that he was knocked into the water by the sailboat's boom after a gust of wind came along.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)