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A lobster fisherman is crediting his lifeguard training and safety courses for saving his life.

Nate King is one of three people who fell into the icy Atlantic Ocean on the first day of lobster season on Monday, leaving one dead.

King says he was well aware of the risks that come with the start of lobster fishing. He says everything was going well until an aluminum railing holding the traps onboard snapped.

“I was right at the back of the boat, so when everything started, I fell in middle of the pots,” said King. “The rope, the balloons, the rack, everything was in the water.”

The young fisherman and his Nomada Queen crewmate Wayne Atwood were pulled into the water. They had life jackets on, but were tangled in gear.

“I hauled out my knife and cut what I could,” said King “I could feel myself going back up, so I started swimming and got clear of the mess and my life jacket inflated.”

Then he had to deal with the cold.

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