One of the men who rescued a fisherman who spent nearly 24 hours in the water off the Coromandel says he's glad things worked out the way they did.

Will Fransen was 30 nautical miles out to sea and had a brush with a shark before the reflection of his wristwatch caught the attention of some fisherman.

He says he can't thank his rescuers enough, and hopes to shout them a drink.

One of them, Max White told Tim Dower that the feeling is mutual.

He says while they've only had a small amount of contact with him so far, he thinks this will turn into a life-long friendship.

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• 'Glad to see you': First words of man rescued after almost 24 hours in the sea