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A Long Island fisherman says he is counting his blessings after surviving a life-threatening boating accident, thanks to the quick thinking of good Samaritans and medical professionals.

Capt. Joey Leggio, a seasoned mariner from Oceanside, shared his story from a hospital bed in an exclusive interview.

He says the accident occurred during what should have been a routine day on the water.

"It was like a snapping motion of the boat, and it ejected me overboard," Leggio recalled.

After the boat hit a wave, he was thrown into the water and severely injured by the propeller.

"I pull this arm up and I see everything just hanging and blood pouring out of my arm. It was like a scene from 'Jaws,'" he said.

Despite the shock and intense pain, Leggio's friend acted swiftly, pulling him back onto the boat and using a shirt to slow the bleeding.

The boat raced to the nearest dock, the Wharf restaurant in Rockaway Park, where fate intervened again. Three nurses, who happened to be dining nearby, rushed to help.

"They were my angels that day, all three of them," Leggio said, tearing up as he described the lifesaving care he received. The nurses applied a tourniquet and helped stabilize him until he could be transported to a hospital.

He was initially told that his hand might need to be amputated. But after being transferred to North Shore University Hospital, a full trauma team, including emergency doctors and orthopedists, jumped into action.

"The trauma surgeons, orthopedists, everyone is on high alert that we are getting a patient who's going to need a lot of resources," said Dr. Payal Sud, associate chair of Emergency Medicine.

Miraculously, doctors were able to save Leggio’s hand. The propeller had missed a major artery by just 1 millimeter.

Leggio is now focused on healing and spreading awareness about boating safety.

“That boater's safety course is so important now,” he stressed. “Maybe they should add some sort of medical training to the course.”

Leggio’s fishing charter business is on hold for the season.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support him during recovery.