The Sunshine Coast-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew has winched two men from the ocean after their boat was hit by a wave, leaving them clinging to floating debris.

The crew was tasked to the scene by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) about 1pm and located the stricken vessel with the two boaties floating nearby, around four nautical miles off Double Island Point.

The men, aged in their 70s, were able to use their Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) to alert AMSA and Tin Can Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue.

Both were wearing lifejackets.

It is believed a wave had hit the rear of their boat, filling it with water and shutting down the engine.

The rescue officer was lowered down to the incident, where he secured each man safely into a harness before they were winched, one at a time, into the safety of the helicopter.

Both were suffering from mild exposure and were airlifted to Hervey Bay Hospital for observation.