Change a table column from nvarchar to varbinary(max)

Hello,
I am writing a query to change the datatype of the sql table column from navarchar to varbinary(max).
The query i am referring is to :

ALTER TABLE dbo.Fie
   ALTER COLUMN DrIgLoc varbinary(max)

But, I get this error :
Implicit conversion from data type nvarchar to varbinary(max) is not allowed. Use the CONVERT function to run this query.


Any suggestions  without recresting the table as this is live.


Cheers