This is the astonishing moment a wild seal boarded a fishing trawler in Japan.

The marine creature leapt onto the deck after it was caught in a fishing net while swimming in rough seas in Hokkaido on November 29.

Seamen used long ropes and brushes to try and usher the animal back into the ocean but it charged at them and refused to leave.

One of the crew members, Ryu Masa said the persistent seal did not want to leave the boat.

He said: “We had been fishing for a few hours when we found the seal in the net.

''It was among the fish but we let it leave. However, it wanted to come back but we couldn't let it stay.

The seal was eventually pushed into the water and swam away after 15 minutes.

Seals are semi-aquatic marine mammals that are distinct for their feet that are shaped like fins.