British Army sailors rescue bedraggled barn owl 70 nautical miles out to sea

A file photo of a barn owl taken at the Espace Rambouillet forest and wildlife park in Rambouillet, France, taken on July 31, 2026. © Joel Saget, AFP

A barn owl stranded some 70 nautical miles out to sea was rescued by an astonished British Army sailing crew competing in a gruelling race around Britain and Ireland.

A British Army sailing crew competing in one of yachting's most demanding races found themselves coming to the rescue of a bedraggled barn owl 70 nautical miles from shore when the exhausted creature made a determined bid to join their team.