A stricken barn owl rescued off the North East coast after repeatedly falling into the water has become an unlikely crew member aboard a British Army yacht competing in a gruelling round-Britain race.
The bird, later named Little Reg, was found 70 nautical miles offshore by the crew of the British Army Sailing Association’s Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier during the 1,805-nautical-mile RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race.
The owl first tried to land on a crew member’s head before making several failed attempts to rest on the yacht’s mast, falling into the sea three times.
Sergeant Mark Petherbridge of 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), said: "We thought we’d lost her, but she kept fighting her way back up and to the boat.
"Eventually she flopped onto the side deck where we threw a towel over her."
The exhausted owl was given refuge and care by the crew as they raced south toward Cowes, with just 170 nautical miles remaining.
The exhausted barn owl attempts to land on board the Army Sailing Association's Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier
(Image: Fujitsu British Soldier)
Will Naylor, skipper of the Fujitsu British Soldier, alerted the RORC Race Team from offshore.
He said: "We have an extra crew member for the latter parts of the race.
"An exhausted barn owl that we are nursing back to health.
"It’s currently sleeping soundly and recovering. Found 70 miles offshore."
The exhausted barn owl attempts to land on board the Army Sailing Association's Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier
(Image: Fujitsu British Soldier)
The crew joked about their new passenger, with Mr Naylor adding: "Someone is going to have to walk the plank."
They named the owl Little Reg, a nod to a traditional soldier’s nickname in the regiment, later joking it should be Little Regina after discovering the bird was female.
Once the owl was safely aboard, the team began coordinating with wildlife specialists onshore.
The exhausted barn owl attempts to land on board the Army Sailing Association's Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier
(Image: Fujitsu British Soldier)
They contacted the Barn Owl Trust, who worked with Dan Goldsmith of Marine and Wildlife Rescue to organise the owl’s safe collection.
Mr Goldsmith spent much of the night planning the boat’s arrival near Great Yarmouth and arranging for the owl to be collected.
The rescue was ultimately coordinated with the Caister Lifeboat team, an independent lifeboat organisation, which came out to collect the bird.
The exhausted barn owl attempts to land on board the Army Sailing Association's Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier
(Image: Fujitsu British Soldier)
For the crew, the incident added an unexpected twist to the final leg of their race.
The RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race is a non-stop offshore challenge that circles the British Isles, starting and finishing in Cowes.
The journey tests sailors against some of the UK’s most demanding maritime conditions.
Sergeant Mark Petherbridge and Captain Tom Court with the rescued barn owl on Fujitsu British Soldier - while competing in the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race
(Image: Fujitsu British Soldier)
Following her ordeal, Little Reg was taken to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre to recover.
Mr Goldsmith praised the teamwork and quick thinking that ensured the owl’s survival.
He said: "We are very grateful to all who collaborated to ensure the barn owl made it safely to the East Winch Wildlife Centre this morning.
Cared for at RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre
(Image: RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre)
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"The crew on Fujitsu British Soldier did an amazing job keeping it stable, and particular thanks to the Caister Independent Lifeboat who did not hesitate to participate in today's rescue."
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) also expressed their thanks to everyone involved in the barn owl’s rescue.
With only a short distance remaining to Cowes, the crew said they looked forward to telling the full story of their most unexpected 'extra crew member' once they crossed the finish line.