Purrfect rescue: Thai navy scrambles to save cats from sinking ship

 

A Thai navy officer swims with a rescued cat on his back in the Andaman Sea March 2, 2021 in this picture obtained from social media. PO1 WICHIT PUKDEELON via REUTERS

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai navy sailors braved choppy waters to launch a dramatic rescue this week after discovering four cats had been abandoned on a sinking ship that caught fire off a paradise island.

 

After the crew had been taken to safety on Tuesday, the navy was sent to the site of the capsized vessel to check for an oil spill, but discovered a few crew members had been forgotten.

 

"I used my camera to zoom in to the boat, and I saw one or two cats popping their heads out," said First-Class Petty Officer Wichit Pukdeelon of the navy's air and coastal defence division.

 

A Thai navy officer swims towards cats standing on a sinking boat to rescue them in the Andaman Sea March 2, 2021 in this picture obtained from social media. PO1 WICHIT PUKDEELON via REUTERS

 

A sailor in a life vest swam out to the capsized boat, on which four ginger cats were huddled together on a wooden beam.

 

The rescuer brought the cats to his boat on his shoulder above the water level, with his team pulling him in by rope.

 

His posts on the rescue received more than 2,500 comments on Facebook on Wednesday praising the crew.

 

The cats are now being cared for by their rescuers at their command post on the island of Koh Lipe.

 

(Reporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

 

 

Thai navy officials braved strong currents on Tuesday and rescued four cats stranded on board a sinking boat in the Andaman Sea.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-04

 

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This story will warm the heart's cockles of every cats and animal lovers everywhere...

At least the rats jump out themselves...

What a Purrfect photo!

Why swimming?  There was a good chance to use the Yellow submarine !

1 minute ago, Tarteso said:

Why swimming?  There was a good chance to use the Yellow submarine !

While playing the soundtrack from Cats through the PA.

I'd  have preferred  the torpedo  option.

So did the Catain go down with the ship?

And I got your feeling, pussy!  sinking your sharp nails into his neck and hear for not touching the water 

3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

So did the Catain go down with the ship?

Yes, along with the cat o' nine tails. Unlucky for some....

A paw-sitive news story for once. Cat-astrophe averted, the cats were saved by a whisker.

Some callous and crude troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

Purr fectly landed in Kho Lipe

Heart warming news item.  Good to see that some people have their hearth in the right place. I take off my hat for the rescuers.

 

Well that's a relief, should answer all the commentators wondering what purpose the Thai navy thinks it serves. Mystery solved.