naire adventurer was picked up by the ketch Atlanta shortly before 1130 GMT after a day drifting in a raft in the Coral Sea and appeared to be in good health. Australian Search and Rescue (ASR) officer Arthur Heather told Reuters that Fossett - who has vied with British tycoon Richard Branson for the title of the world`s top balloonist - appeared to be in good health. The Endeavour, a New Zealand naval tanker, was steaming towards the rescue area south of the Solomon Islands, about 480 nautical miles off Australia`s northeast coast. After picking up Fosset it will sail to Townsville in the Australian state of Queensland. The 54-year-old Chicago stock options broker spent the day drifting amid treacherous and uncharted reefs in a 15-man raft containing water, food and a radio dropped to him by a French military aircraft. Australian air force planes also later made contact with him. Fossett climbed out of his own liferaft which was attached to the gondola and balloon and into the French raft. Rescuers said weather conditions were good in the area, known as the Bellona Reefs. Fossett was warned about five hours before contact was lost that he was approaching a wall of strong thunderstorms.