Fishermen rescued a stowaway cat that jumped into the sea from a passing boat.

The crew were heading to the fishing grounds when they saw the feline struggling in the water off the coast of Rayong province, Thailand on June 24.

Footage shows a fisherman using a 20ft-long stick with a net attached on its end to scoop the feline and take it onboard.

Fisherman Jesada Chunthong said: ‘We saw the little cat all wet and trying to stay afloat. We pulled him onto our boat so it was safe. It went straight under a box because it was frightened.'

The creature is believed to have jumped into the sea from a passing boat. It was dried with a towel and fed while being secured inside a cage.

Jesada added he took the kitten home and adopted it.

He said: ‘The kitten will stay with me. I felt a special connection with the cat after we helped it. It was safe and not hurt.'