Even though the fishing boat was moving as fast as it could, it might already be too late. Every second counts in freezing water when you're trying to save a life. As the boat closed in on the struggling cubs, they were fading from the world.
They'd stopped making noises, and their frantic paddling was slowing down. The fishermen weren't sure if they had arrived in time to help - and they didn't have any bear-rescuing equipment on board either.