A hero ship captain dived into the sea to save a drowning puppy in Thailand.

Kunanon and his crew noticed the brown and white pooch drifting in the water near a pier in Songkhla province, on May 29.

To save the dog, the animal lover seafarer tied a rubber ring to a rope and wore it around his body before jumping into the water.

Footage shows the captain floating in the ocean while the puppy was locked in his arms as he carried him to safety.

Kunanon said: ‘I couldn't just leave the dog in the water. There's no way it would have been able to survive. I just did what was normal to do to save a living creature. I hope that my actions set a good example to the crew.'

The ship's crew helped their captain back on deck and dried up the dog. It had a collar on its neck but the pet owner has not been found yet.

The dog was taken to a veterinarian who would care for the puppy until its owners are found.