Incredible way man survived 20 hours in shark infested water after being 'seconds from death'

Back in 2022, a man somehow survived 20 hours in shark infested waters, despite being 'seconds away from death'.

James Michael Grimes had been enjoying himself on a Carnival cruise ship with his family the evening before Thanksgiving.

After becoming an 'air guitar champion' on board, Grimes went to the toilet at around 11pm.

However, what happened after that remains a mystery to this day as the next moment Grimes can recall is waking up in shark infested waters somewhere near the Gulf of Mexico.

It really is the stuff of nightmares.

Speaking to Good Morning America following the incident, Grimes said: "The next thing I know, I regained consciousness. I was in the water with no boat in sight."

At this point, from facing jellyfish to rip currents and the shark infested waters, Grimes could have easily accepted his fate.

However, the then 28-year-old decided he was going to make it out alive.

He added: "I felt like I was given a chance right then... you're alive for a reason... that [fall] could've killed me, but I felt like from that moment on, I was trying to stay positive.

"And, you know when you're here, you're still alive for a reason. So, all you got to do now is swim and survive. I was hoping they will start looking for me, they will find me eventually."

Grimes landed in shark infested waters after falling from the cruise ship. (Good Morning America)

Grimes' family did not realize he was missing for 12 hours after he was last seen.

But when they realized he was gone, they immediately alerted the cruise staff who then notified the US Coast Guard.

Incredibly, Grimes was found 20 hours after he fell off the ship and was reunited with his nearest and dearest.

In a statement shared with ABC News, the Coast Guard said: "We greatly appreciate the efforts of all, most especially the US Coast Guard and the mariner who spotted the guest in the water.

"Cruise ships have safety barriers in all public areas that are regulated by US Coast Guard standards that prevent a guest from falling off. Guests should never ever climb up on the rails."

The US Coast Guard somehow managed to spot him. (Good Morning America)

To deal with hunger, Grimes resorted to what he could find while treading water for all that time. I mean, he couldn't really be picky.

It resulted in him consuming a floating stick he believed to be a bamboo.

Describing the moment he saw a helicopter come overhead to rescue him, Grimes explained: "The first thing I actually told (the rescuer) was, 'I don't have any clothes on,' because I stripped out of everything,' and he said 'that's fine'.

"I was just thinking, 'Thank you. You are like a guardian angel coming down for me.'"