Watch: Fisherman Jumps Into Ocean to Free Entangled Whale

Commercial fisherman Sam Synstelien took a dangerous plunge into the ocean to save the life of a humpback whale that had become entangled in lines from the boat. In the video shot by Nicholas Taron, Synstelien can be seen leaping into the water and climbing onto the whale to free it from rope wrapped around its back and tail. Shouts of joy can be heard from the crew as the tethers are cut and and the whale swims off unencumbered. Experts warn against directly assisting a marine animal in distress, and instead recommend notifying the Coast Guard or the NOAA Fisheries entanglement hotline at 877-SOS-WHALE.