A Seal Climbed Onboard Her Boat and Refused to Leave — Once She Realized Why, It Broke Her Heart.

Hannah’s heart shattered as she watched the tragedy beneath the surface. The small seal pup near the top of the net was stretching its neck upward with everything it had. Its tiny snout barely broke the surface to gasp a tiny breath of air before the heavy swell pulled it under again.

It was drowning. Hannah sprinted to the radio. "Coast Guard, I've located an abandoned commercial net! Marine life is trapped and drowning right now!" The dispatcher’s voice returned, sharp and stern. "Sea Rover, hold your position. Our cutter is dispatched, but we are fifteen minutes out. Do NOT enter the water under any circumstances. The currents are severe and unattended nets have been lethal to divers."

Fifteen minutes. The pup was losing strength, its movements growing sluggish. It wouldn't survive three more minutes. Hannah looked at the radio mic, then down at the water. She grabbed her father's heavy dive knife.