Four terrified cats were left behind on a ship that had caught fire and was slowly sinking into the sea, their small bodies pressed together as the water rose around them.
With no way to escape and nowhere to swim, they stayed on a wooden beam, shaking and soaked, believing the ocean had already chosen their fate.
Just when it seemed like no one would notice them, a navy officer swam out through the water and lifted each frightened cat into safe arms, turning a moment of fear into a miracle they never saw coming.