Stowaway on board the Rotterdam

This little news article brought a smile to my face this week – a bird stowed away on board Holland America’s MS Rotterdam.

When the ship docked into Dublin staff noticed a Gannet near the bow of the vessel and then became concerned when it was still there the following day when she entered the Isle of Man. The ship which holds 1300 passengers and was on a 17 night voyage continued onto Belfast and the crew became increasing aware that the Gannet was actually stuck.

The kind hearted staff were unable to free  the bird and instead took to feeding cookies to it, which I’m sure the Gannet would have viewed as a strange but welcome alternative to diving for fish. Upon arrival at Belfast the Harbour Police were alerted and they called in Debbie Nelson from Debbie Doolittles Wild Life, a local wildlife rescue expert.

“You get calls for all sorts of strange things,” Debbie explained. (But the gannet on the deck of the cruise ship was) the most unusual one of the year.”

Gannets can be quite aggressive birds (particularly when they have been trapped for a few days) but Debbie was able to free the bird uninjured and gently popped him back in the sea safely.

I wonder how the bird got stuck in the first place perhaps he had just got tired of flying and though that a  5* luxury cruise liner was a better way to travel.