Sport

Army sailing team save exhausted barn owl who was stuck 70 nautical miles out to sea

21st August 2026 at 10:41am

The British Army team rescued 'Little Reg' who was stuck 70 miles out to sea while competing in the Around Britain and Ireland race (Pictures: Fujitsu British Soldier)

The British Army's offshore sailing team, Fujitsu British Soldier, were forced into impromptu wildlife rescue during their gruelling Round Britain and Ireland race when a barn owl needed saving 70 nautical miles out to sea.

The owl, nicknamed Little Reg, was found repeatedly falling into the water off the north east coast so the team took it aboard and coordinated with Barn Owl Trust, Marine and Wildlife Rescue, and Caister Independent Lifeboat for a collection near Great Yarmouth with minimal interruption to their race.

The Army team finished 18th in their overall International Rating Certificate - completing the race in 12 days, 21 hours, 12 minute and 33 seconds.

Little Reg's arrival on the boat was chaotic, as she attempted to land on the head of one of the crew members before switching targets to the top of the mast, which resulted in a splash in the sea again.

Eventually, she made it onto the boat where the team threw a towel over her and nursed her back to health.

20082026 Fujitsu British Soldier and little reg the barn owl Credit Fujitsu British Soldier.jpg — Sergeant Mark Petherbridge of 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment helped nurse the owl back to health after her sea ordeal (Picture: Fujitsu British Soldier)

The team's leader, Major Will Naylor, sent the Royal Ocean Racing Club the following message: "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. Someone is going to have to walk the plank!"

Following her ordeal, Little Reg was taken to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre to recover and the Army team were praised for how they handled the tricky situation.