A Russian sailor was rescued by Filipino fishermen in southern Philippines several hours after he fell overboard in shark-infested waters, police said yesterday.

Police officer Johnny Muhajil said local fishermen rescued on Wednesday the 36-year-old sailor, Alexis Alexandrovich Sabinol, near Sta. Cruz island, several nautical miles off the southern port city of Zamboanga.

He said the Russian sailor, a crew member of the cargo ship, MV Pacific Star, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of bruises he suffered from the fall. "He was lucky to be alive because there are many sharks out there," Muhajil said.

Muhajil noted that Sabinol, a native of Vladivostok, told investigators that he was pushed off the ship by a fellow crewman. "This Russian sailor told us that he was pushed by his companion and that he fell off the boat.

He told us that he swam for hours until he was spotted and rescued by Filipino fishermen." Muhajil described the sailor as bulky, blonde and about 5 ft. 9 inches in height. Authorities suspect that Sabinol had fallen overboard drunk.

Muhajil also said that the sailor was only wearing his underwear and socks when rescued by fishermen. "We brought him to the hospital and then handed him over to the immigration people." Police said the ship's captain and crew, apparently not aware of what had happened, continued sailing.

"Sabinol told the police that his ship is on its way to Korea from Russia via a roundabout route through the Sulu Sea and was only passing the southern Philippines," Muhajil noted.