This is the heartwarming moment Good Samaritans rescued a stray dog struggling to stay afloat at sea.

Jherrico Edano and his family were sailing off the coast of Olongapo City in Zambales province, the Philippines on January 2 when they spotted a black object bobbing up and down in the water.

As they pulled nearer, they realised that it was actually a stray pooch paddling desperately to keep from sinking.

Footage shows the hapless mutt swimming towards Jherrico's boat, seemingly aware they were there to save it. When it was close enough, the group scooped it up and hoisted it aboard.

It had a large wound on its left eye, which had reddened and swollen from being soaked in seawater.

Jherrico said: 'I had to rescue the dog since the shore was still so far away, and the other boats carrying tourists just passed by it.

'I'm taking care of it now, but if someone claiming to be the owner wants to take it back, they just need to show me proof and explain why it fell into the sea.'