For a recreational fisherman from east China’s Shandong Province, a trip during the National Day holiday could have spelled his demise after he was caught in a stormy sea. /Photo via iqilu.com

The unnamed man decided to venture into the wide open blue on the second day of the eight-day holiday. But his journey to catch fish landed him in hot waters after a storm brought high winds and monster waves. / Photo via iqilu.com

Finding himself in a risky situation and unable to steer his vessel to the shore, the man called for help. / Photo via iqilu.com

Local authorities dispatched a helicopter with rescuers who battled four-meter-high waves to lift the helpless man, failing several times before succeeding in bringing him to safety. / Photo via iqilu.com

A body cam on one of the responders showed the man holding onto a bar amid raging water. / Photo via iqilu.com