This is an amazing tale of bravery and four kittens lost at sea. A boat engulfed in flames and sinking into the sea was almost a cat-astrophe! The boat had capsized in the middle of deep waters near the island of Koh Adang, and eight distressed crew members had signaled for help. Rescue efforts were quick; however, the Royal Thai Navy had to investigate the capsized boat for any possibilities of oil spilling into the ocean…that’s when they discovered four distressed cats.
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When Navy Officers re-checking for spilled oil from a capsized boat, they spotted 4 cats huddled together
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
While investigating the wreckage, First-Class Petty Officer Wichit Pukdeelon used his camera to inspect the boat from afar. This is when he noticed four cats hanging on for dear life on a crane-like structure.
Thatsaphon Saii, 23, immediately put on his life jacket, and swam 50 feet in an effort to save the cats
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
One of the petty officers, Thatsaphon Saii, 23, realized the direness of the situation and immediately sprung to action. He had to act quickly as the fires were starting to spread, and there wasn’t that much time left before the whole boat would be lost at sea. He would rescue the cats one by one on his shoulders swimming back and forth between the two boats.
Time was of the essence, as the fires were starting to spread across the boat
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
Eventually all four cats were rescued on board the navy boat.
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
With all four cats finally safe and on the Royal Thai Navy boat, the officers could finally breathe a sigh of relief as they watched the wreckage become fully engulfed in flames. The officials have said that the oil tank of the ship is prone to leaking and is very dangerous for the environment and the Navy is contacting related agencies in order to salvage the wreckage before the environmental damage gets worse.
The rescued cats are now being cared for under the Royal Navy’s wing in a command post on the island of Koh Lipe
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
Here’s the hero of the story who without him the cats would probably have drowned or died of thirst otherwise.
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
The rescuer and the rescued, sharing a precious moment
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
The story has even inspired some to illustrate the heroic efforts!
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage
Image credits: RoyalThaiNavyFanpage