The Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A man who fell off a cruise ship before dawn yesterday swam more than four miles to shore, where he was found exhausted but otherwise in good condition.

John Monett, 23, of Toledo, Ohio, was spotted on the rocky shoreline of the San Juan suburb of Toa Baja at 12:30 p.m., nearly 10 hours after he disappeared from the Carnival Cruise Lines ship Celebration.

He was reported in good condition at Bayamon Regional Hospital, said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer James Elliott.

Monett told his rescuers that he treaded water until he could see shore at dawn, then began swimming toward it. He said he was helped by the current.

Monett and an acquaintance climbed over a safety railing and entered an area restricted to crew, according to Carnival spokesman Tim Gallagher in Miami. He was leaning on cables when he fell several stories into the ocean, Gallagher said.

U.S. Coast Guard boats and helicopters searched a 10-square-mile area and the San Juan harbor entrance was briefly closed.

The Celebration left its home port of Miami on Saturday and arrived in San Juan on Monday.