A fisherman who had gone missing in Brazil was found clinging for dear life to a signal buoy after he fell from his fishing boat on Christmas day.

A fellow fisherman rescued 43-year-old David Soares on Tuesday after he fell off his boat on Sunday when he went fishing on his own near the Praia de Atafona coast, which is about 200 miles from Rio de Janeiro.

Soares told reporters that he swam for about four hours until he came across the signal buoy, which he figured would be a safe place to cling to until someone found him. The signal buoy was around five miles from where he fell off his boat.

Speaking to a local news outlet, Soares said that the most difficult part of his ordeal was the first ten minutes after falling off because he was extremely determined to get back on his boat at all costs. He said that the enormous weight of the water and the strong current made it impossible for him to reach his boat.

The survivor said the water was swelling and windy, so he took off his trousers and shirt because he thought they were wearing him down. He made the smart decision to let the water waves carry him, so he went with the drift.

He let himself be carried by the current because he did not want to use up all his energy. After about four hours of drifting, he reached Porto do Acu and saw the signal buoy, which he recognized as his saving grace. 

He quickly climbed onto the buoy and thought he would die from the cold before anyone arrived to help him. 

Soares’ family became worried about his safety when he did not return home after going out on a fishing expedition on Christmas day. They spread the word that he was missing and asked the fishing community to help look for him. They also contacted the Brazilian navy asking for their help in finding the fisherman.

One local fisherman began searching for Soares and found him two days later, clinging to the signal buoy. He safely brought him onboard his boat, and the two went back to shore.

The men recorded a video on the way back, and the rescuer posted it on his social media account. Soares was visibly in a great mood after his rescue as he laughed, made jokes in the video, and showed no signs of injury.

Speaking to the local media outlet later, he told them he became emotional after witnessing his rescuers crying tears of relief and joy after finding him.

The rescuers took Soares to the hospital, where he was treated for dehydration. Amazingly, the man returned to work in the ocean a day after being rescued.

Reflecting on the incident, which could easily have had a tragic outcome, Soares told a journalist that God had given him another chance, which he viewed as an opportunity to be a better human being and face life using different eyes.