Thai navy sailors rescue abandoned cats from a burning, sinking ship Posted ThuThursday 4 updated ThuThursday 4 Four ginger cats were rescued. ( Share Print text only Cancel Thai navy sailors have braved choppy waters to perform a dramatic rescue this week after discovering four cats abandoned on a sinking ship that caught fire off a paradise island. Key points: The crew of the stricken ship left the cats behind A sailor, wearing a life vest, put the cats on his shoulder and swam with them to safety The sailor's Facebook post of the rescue has gone viral After the human crew had been taken to safety on Tuesday (local time), the navy was sent to the site of the capsized vessel to check for an oil spill, but discovered a few passengers had been forgotten.