A Central Pacific islander who set out with his brother-in-law on a 15-foot wooden boat, on what was to be a two-hour trip, was rescued after being adrift for nearly four months.

The 41-year old from the island of Maiana was rescued Saturday and recounted his desperation and a few lucky breaks that led to his rescue.

A tropical downpour provided vital drinking water when all hope seemed lost, and he woke one afternoon to the sound of scratching and looked overboard to see a six-foot shark circling the boat and bumping the hull.

When the shark had his attention, it swam off.

"I looked up and there was the stern of a ship and I could see crew with binoculars looking at me."

Click here for the full report by Australia’s Herald Sun.