A British Army sailing crew rescued an exhausted barn owl 70 nautical miles offshore.
The bird joined Fujitsu British Soldier during the final stages of the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race.
The Sun Fast 3600 was sailing south towards Cowes when the crew discovered their unexpected passenger.
The 1,805-nautical-mile race takes competitors around Britain and Ireland before returning to Cowes.
The crew found the owl with just 170 nautical miles remaining.
Skipper Will Naylor alerted the RORC Race Team about their unusual new crew member.
“We have an extra crew member for the latter parts of the race,” Naylor reported.
He explained that the exhausted owl was sleeping and recovering after its offshore ordeal.
The crew also joked about finishing with the same number of crew members.
“Someone is going to have to walk the plank!” Naylor added.
Difficult Owl Rescue At Sea
The rescue proved challenging as the exhausted bird struggled to find somewhere safe to land.
The owl first attempted to land on a crew member’s head.
However, she lost her grip and fell away.
She then tried landing on the masthead, but fell into the sea three times.
Eventually, the owl reached the side deck.
The crew threw a towel over her and safely brought her aboard.
They named the determined bird Little Reg.
The nickname traditionally applies to soldiers within the regiment.
It also reflected the owl’s refusal to give up.
Wildlife Experts Coordinate The Rescue
Once aboard, the crew contacted wildlife specialists ashore.
James and Lowenna from the Barn Owl Trust helped coordinate the rescue operation.
They contacted several agencies to arrange the bird’s collection.
They then liaised with Dan Goldsmith from Marine and Wildlife Rescue.
Goldsmith spent much of the night planning the boat’s arrival near Great Yarmouth.
He also arranged for the owl to reach a specialist wildlife centre.
The Caister Independent Lifeboat team eventually collected Little Reg.
The independent lifeboat organisation responded to the rescue request and brought the owl ashore.
Little Reg Reaches Wildlife Centre
Little Reg is now recovering at RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre.
Her unexpected voyage began 70 nautical miles offshore, east of Newcastle.
The rescue added an extraordinary twist to the Army Sailing Association’s race.
Fujitsu British Soldier continued towards Cowes after handing over their feathered passenger.
The crew were then just 170 nautical miles from the finish.
The 50th Anniversary RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race covers 1,805 nautical miles.
Competitors race non-stop around Britain and Ireland before returning to Cowes.
The demanding course tests crews against some of Britain’s toughest offshore conditions.
For Little Reg, however, the race became an entirely unexpected adventure.
Thanks To The Rescue Team
Dan Goldsmith praised everyone involved in the successful rescue.
“We are very grateful to all who collaborated,” said Goldsmith.
He particularly praised the Fujitsu British Soldier crew for keeping the owl stable.
He also thanked Caister Independent Lifeboat for joining the rescue without hesitation.
The Royal Ocean Racing Club also thanked everyone involved in saving one of Britain’s protected bird species.