how did merry save the straw hats

The Going Merry (often just called “Merry”) saves the Straw Hat Pirates in the Enies Lobby arc by sailing herself across the sea one final time to rescue the crew after they jump‑free from the collapsing bridge of hesitation.

How Merry “woke up”

In Water 7, it’s explained that ships can develop a spirit called a Klabautermann if the crew treats them like family.

Because the Straw Hats loved and cared for the Going Merry so much, she became practically a living crewmate, which lets her “will” remain and act even when she’s supposedly broken.

What happens at Enies Lobby

During the Enies Lobby battle, the Straw Hats escape the Marines by leaping from the Bridge of Hesitation into the raging whirlpools below.

Before they can drown or be crushed by debris, the Going Merry suddenly appears beneath them , catching the whole crew on her deck and carrying them away from the destruction.

Why this counts as “saving” them

• The ship uses her last remaining strength to sail through storms and dangerous currents to reach Enies Lobby, even though she should have been wrecked earlier.

• Once she safely reunites them with the Galley‑La Company’s ships, her hull finally collapses and breaks apart, dying after completing her final mission.

In short, Merry saves the Straw Hats by returning as a living ship one last time to rescue them from certain death at Enies Lobby , then peacefully meets her end with a Viking funeral.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.