TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 The\u00a0Coast\u00a0Guard\u00a0has rescued a former\u00a0Navy\u00a0pilot who spent 20 hours treading water in the Gulf of Mexico after falling out of his boat without a life jacket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
William Durden’s wife called authorities Wednesday night after the 61-year-old didn’t return from a planned fishing trip. His boat was later located near St. Martins Keys, about 60 miles north of Tampa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Durden was spotted by a\u00a0Coast\u00a0Guard\u00a0plane Thursday morning, and a helicopter responded. Video\u00a0posted by the\u00a0Coast\u00a0Guard\u00a0on Twitter\u00a0shows a rescue swimmer jumping in to retrieve Durden. He was found about 17 miles off the\u00a0coast\u00a0of Aripeka, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\u00a0Coast\u00a0Guard\u00a0said Durden told them he was trying to grab a fishing pole\u00a0while the boat was in gear when he went into the water. The Reno, Nevada, resident credits his\u00a0Navy\u00a0training for his survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\u00a0Coast\u00a0Guard\u00a0says Durden is physically fine after the ordeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n