Man leaps off boat in dramatic sea rescue while holding cat

Video has emerged of a man and his cat being rescued from his boat off the coast of Alaska.

The man leapt to safety - with his cat tucked into his clothing - from his sailing boat which had got into difficulty in the high seas.

The Frenchman's boat had lost its rudder and rigging.

The US Coast Guard video shows the man disappearing behind the railing head first; one of the crew of the Tor Viking is then seen walking toward the man, who stands up.

Both the sailor and his cat survived their ordeal.