A man and his cat were winched to safety after their tinnie upturned off Moreton Island on Monday morning.

It is understood two men, aged in their 50s, and a cat had been fishing in the area when the tinnie flipped.

While one man managed to swim to shore, the others were left clinging to the boat.

A Westpac Lifesaver helicopter was tasked to the area and air crewman George Lavett said he did a double-take when he saw the “wringing wet, little grey cat” clinging to the man.