Surfer

The 37-year-old told police a current had pulled him out to sea off Bulli Beach, 80km (50 miles) south of Sydney on Thursday evening.

Sailors on the MSC Damla spotted him floating about 6km offshore and pulled him on board using a lifebuoy.

They gave him food, drink and warm clothing and contacted the authorities.

A pilot vessel from Port Kembla returned him to shore. He was taken to hospital but discharged shortly afterwards.

The man was in "remarkably good spirits", MSC Australia's managing director Kevin Clarke said.

Two years ago, the English plumber was fixing dripping taps -- now, as a professional surfer, he is tackling the world's biggest waves.

His obsession is twofold: To beat the unofficial record size of 100 feet high; and to track down treacherous waves in waters that have never been surfed before. Combining the two is the ideal.

"I think what drives me is the biggest wave," Cotton says. "That's the dream isn't it, in a place where you're not going to have 50 surfers? That's exciting."

If he breaks the record, and in uncharted waters ... what next?