OCEANSIDE, Calif. -- A canoeist whose outrigger-style vessel broke apart during an ocean outing three miles off the North County coast swam miles in darkness before being rescued by a lobster fisherman, officials said Wednesday.

Nathan Talagega, 45, was reported missing offshore from Oceanside late Tuesday afternoon, prompting Coast Guard personnel, Camp Pendleton Marines and city harbor patrol members to launch a joint search, police Sgt. Kelan Poorman said.

About 9 p.m., as the crews combed the ocean in the area, they got word that the fisherman had spotted Talagega and pulled him into his boat, Poorman said.

Oceanside Harbor Police officers met up with the fisherman's boat, took custody of the canoeist and brought him to shore. Medics then took him to a hospital for a precautionary evaluation.

Talagega, a Carlsbad resident, told authorities he had been in the 67-degree ocean swells for about three hours, attempting to swim to shore, when the fisherman rescued him.

"In speaking with Talagega, he was very humbled with the experience and (said he) will take extra precautions the next time he enters the ocean by carrying an emergency kit," Poorman said.

Harbor police officials advise boaters to always carry a personal flotation device for everyone onboard, along with a cell phone or ham radio, a waterproof flashlight and a whistle, and to advise friends or family of their anticipated return time and place, Poorman said.