A former Navy pilot was rescued Thursday after having spent 20 hours treading water.

According to Bay 9 News, 61-year-old William Durden, from Reno, Nevada, was fishing alone in the Homosassa River and not wearing a life jacket when he fell overboard.

"I went through different phases. First couple hours, 'I’ll find some way to wave down and get on somebody’s boat.' Then sundown comes and, 'Oh well, I’m gonna have to plan for nighttime now,'” Durden told Bay 9 News. "I was just praying that no big shark would come out and decide to have me for dinner."

After 20 hours treading water, Durden was found by the Coast Guard,  following a two-hour search.

He says that he was physically fine, but was glad to have been found after braving drops in water temperature and encounters with fish.

Read more at Bay 9 News.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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