Tuesday, August 19, 2008 --- 7:45 a.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- James Nelson says one of the scariest moments in his 12-hour ordeal on Lake Michigan's Green Bay came near the end. That's when a Coast Guard helicopter seemed to spot him in the early morning hours, only to fly away.

The 56-year-old sailor from Allouez (AL'-oh-way) says he waved his arms but sank under the water, and by the time he surfaced, the chopper was flying away. He says he said a prayer and it turned back, spotted him and flicked its lights.

Then a rescue diver hoisted him from the water, and he was on the way to the hospital.

Nelson had gone out in his 23-foot sailboat Sunday and was heading back to a channel when a gust caught the boom and knocked him into the water.

The boat had its motor running and kept moving -- with his lifejacket still on the seat where he left it.

Now he's thanking everyone who joined the search effort that ended with his rescue yesterday morning just before 3 a.m. He's expected to be released from the hospital today after treatment for dehydration.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)