A fisherman who survived treading water for 23 hours off the coast of New Zealand after falling off his boat said he was lucky to be alive after being spotted due to the reflection from his wristwatch.
Will Fransen was pulled overboard without a life jacket on Jan. 2 while attempting to reel in a marlin in waters off the country’s North Island.
He survived by treading water, while being briefly circled by a shark, before using his watch to attract the attention of a passing boat.
“I knew my chances weren’t very good. I’m usually pretty positive, but I knew my chances
