Navy Spots The Tiniest Survivors Clinging To Sinking Ship

Earlier this week, a fishing boat miles off the coast of Thailand put out an emergency call after a fire broke out onboard, crippling the vessel and causing it to take on water.

Another boat nearby heard the call and arrived to deliver the eight man crew to safety.

But not everyone on the ship had been saved.

Later on, members of Royal Thai Navy were dispatched to investigate the damaged fishing boat, which by then was on the verge of sinking.

Luckily, someone noticed the boat actually still had several souls aboard.

There, clinging to life on the ill-fated ship, were four cats in need of rescue.

It was then that one of the navy sailors, identified as Tattaphon Sai, leapt into action.

He swam out to the fishing boat, made contact with the cats ...

... and swam them each back to safety.

The cats, sopping wet and no doubt frightened, clung to Sai's back as he swam them to the navy vessel — understanding, it seems, that he was there to save their lives.

And, with little time to spare before the boat sank, that's exactly what he did.

Thanks to Sai's heroism, the cats had all been rescued.

They were welcomed aboard the navy vessel, and given food and water to recover from their ordeal. Fortunately, all the cats were in good health after their scary ordeal.

It's unknown whether the cats had snuck aboard and hidden in the fishing boat, or if they had been overlooked when the fishing crew was evacuated. But one thing is clear: They are currently in good hands.

Now back on dry land, the cats are happy in the care of their rescuers in the navy — giving rise to some adorable depiction of their newfound friendships.

Though it may not have been a typical rescue operation for Sai and the other sailors, the Royal Thai Navy put it best in explaining their efforts to help those stranded cats, writing simply:

"Because every life counts."