Royal Navy shells out support to return rare turtles

The Royal Navy has assisted in the return of six rare loggerhead turtles to their native Atlantic habitat after the creatures were rescued and nursed back to health in the UK, according to a news release.

The juvenile turtles, swept away from the Caribbean or the Eastern Seaboard of the USA by strong winds and Atlantic currents, were returned to warmer waters by the crew of HMS Medway off the coast of the Azores.

HMS Medway, a Portsmouth-based patrol ship, had set sail from Plymouth last week, en route to the Caribbean to relieve her sister ship HMS Trent. As part of her deployment, Medway is supporting international counter-drug operations and assisting island communities during the hurricane season.

Alongside the ship’s usual cargo of food supplies and disaster relief equipment, Medway also carried six loggerhead turtles—Jason, Gordon, Perran, Hayle, Holly, and Tonni—cared for by aquariums in Cornwall and Anglesey.

The turtles were gently released into the Atlantic waters as the crew of HMS Medway gathered to witness the rare repatriation.

Rod Jones, the Royal Navy’s Senior Maritime Environmental Protection Adviser, commented in the news release, “As professional mariners, many of us are keen to do what we can to reduce the loss of biodiversity at sea. Assisting turtles to return to warmer waters may not be the Royal Navy’s primary role, but we are pleased to support the UK’s ambition for more healthy and diverse seas.”

The turtles had been rescued after being washed ashore in the UK, where they became ‘cold-stunned’ due to the frigid waters. Without intervention, the turtles would have perished. Five of the creatures were found along the coasts of Cornwall and Devon, cared for by Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium, while the sixth, Tonni, was nursed back to health by Anglesey Sea Zoo.

Steve Matchett, group curator at Blue Reef Aquarium, explained the turtles’ condition upon arrival: “All were dehydrated and emaciated. This is due to being too cold for a long period and being unable to feed/function properly. They have all prospered once we got them past the initial stages.” He expressed gratitude to the Royal Navy for facilitating the turtles’ safe return to their natural environment.

The turtles were cared for aboard HMS Medway by Sub Lieutenant Adam Whitelaw and Engineering Technician Ryan Brooks, both of whom were selected from an oversubscribed list of volunteers, say the Royal Navy.