Man who survived 20 hours in shark-infested waters after falling off cruise ship was rescued 'seconds from death'

Everyone’s worst nightmare is falling into shark-infested waters, but for one man this became a reality.

James Michael Grimes was on the Carnival Valor cruise liner in 2022 as it travelled from New Orleans to Mexico with his family.

The 28-year-old had been competing in an air guitar competition on board when he suddenly found himself plunged into the icy water, with no recollection of how he ended up there.

Having been thrown into the Gulf of Mexico, which is known to be shark-infested, he was like bait without a line.

For more than 20 hours he fought for his life by treading water, before being miraculously picked up by a passing boat when he was ‘seconds from death’.

Little did his family know he was missing until 12 hours after he fell off the side of the liner.

In fact, they initially believed he was in his cabin asleep. The truth was far worse.

Speaking to ABC7, James recalled the moment he fell off the ship: "We were just hanging out, having a good time, watching some live music, that's pretty much it."

Even though he admitted he had a few drinks during the day, he maintained that he wasn’t drunk.

Before he fell, he remembered telling his sister that he was going to use the restroom, and then suddenly he was in the sea.

One moment he was using the toilet, the next he was in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. (ABC News/ Good Morning America)

He said: "I came to and when I regained consciousness, I was in the water with no boat in sight.

"I can't float myself, even if I'm trying to so the Lord was with me when I was out there because something was holding me up the whole time while I was passed out."

He added: "My worst fear is drowning and it was something I did not want to have to face.

"I wanted to see my family. I was dead set on making it out of there. I was never accepting that this is it, that this is gonna be the end of my life."

The Alabama native was floating in the water for nearly an entire day and night while coastguards scoured the 7,000-miles of water.

However, he managed to spot a tanker ship in the distance and swam to it using ‘every bit of strength’ he had left in his battered body.

He was treading water for 20 hours. (US Coastguard/ ABC7)

Thankfully, the crew spotted him too and called for help, and a helicopter arrived shortly to take him back to safety.

James said: "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.'"

Even though he nearly died, James has a different outlook on it.

He said: "Life's a beach, enjoy the waves. The fall didn't kill me, the sea creatures didn't eat me, I feel like I was meant to get out of there."

Now, if you think he’d be staying away from another cruise, you’re wrong.

He actually response that: "I'd definitely be open to going on another cruise 'coz I really didn't get to go on this one."