New York ( CNN ) -- Talk about the catch of your life . Fishermen hooked a senior citizen who was drowning near a New York pier Saturday , keeping the man above water and close to the pier long enough for rescuers to reach him , according to a fire department spokesperson . `` They played a major role in helping with this person 's survival , '' FDNY spokesman Khalid Baylor told CNN . `` It was a joint functional operation between uniform and civilians . '' Shortly after noon , FDNY and NYPD officials jointly responded to reports of a man in Jamaica Bay at Brooklyn 's Canarsie Pier , according to Baylor . They observed a male in his 60s unconscious and floating in the water , Baylor said . Witnesses later told police they saw the victim sitting on the pier railing , then falling into the water , according to NYPD 's Detective Michael DeBonis . Civilians , who happened to be fishing at the pier and saw the man , were able to use a fishing gaff to hook his clothing , keeping the man from drifting away or sinking completely until officials were able to rescue him , Baylor said . A fishing gaff is a long pole with a hook used to haul in fish . When officials reached the man in the water , he was unresponsive , not breathing and `` turning blue , '' said DeBonis . According to Baylor , FDNY personnel placed a sling over the victim in the water and swam him to an NYPD boat , where both firefighters and police performed rescue breathing , bringing back a pulse . Prior to being transported from the boat to land , the man began to breathe on his own , DeBonis said . The victim was transported to Brookdale Hospital ; he is expected to survive , authorities said Saturday . The identities of the fishermen who helped save the man 's life are unknown . Officials have not released the name of the victim .
Fishermen notice older man who fell from Brooklyn pier . They use gaff 's hook to hold him up until others assist . Comment: