WATCH: Unbelievable moment one boat rams into another, sending three jumping into freezing water

A salmon fisherman who jumped into the freezing waters of Oregon's Columbia River just seconds before another boat crashed into his has sued the other boat driver for US$372,500 ($467,000).

Marlin Lee Larsen, 75, told investigators he was seated and "couldn't see" over his boat's dashboard when the incident occurred, Oregonlive.com reports.

He told police he "probably should have been standing" instead of sitting down.

Larsen's son-in-law, who was also on the boat, told Clatsop County sheriffs that he had often seen his father-in-law talking on his mobile phone whilst steering and had advised him to "pay attention" to what he was doing.

Oregon law states that it is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving, but similar restrictions do not apply to boating.

Bryan Maess, who has filed the lawsuit, claims Mr Larsen was talking on his phone on the morning of August 12, 2017, when his boat crashed into Mr Maess' near Fort Stevens State Park.

Mr Maess, an off-duty police officer fishing with a co-worker and another friend at the time, said he had to jump overboard to avoid injury or death.

A GoPro camera affixed to his fishing boat shows the moment Mr Larsen's boat speeds towards the other boat.

The trio on Mr Maess' boat then jump into the water after frantically waving at Mr Larsen to stop.

Mr Maess suffered ankle, leg and arm injuries, according to the lawsuit, and five months after the accident he was still wearing a knee brace and suffering vision problems.

He also claims that he suffered psychological trauma and had not been able to go back out on a boat since the accident.

His co-passengers also suffered injuries but are yet to file a lawsuit.