A tiny orphaned kitten has found a heartwarming new beginning after being rescued by a Royal Navy sailor during a routine mission. Petty Officer James Harrison discovered the week-old tabby, barely the size of his palm, nestled in a lifeboat aboard the HMS Albion while docked in Portsmouth.
“The little thing was shivering under a tarpaulin—no sign of her mother, just these tiny meows,” Harrison recalled. “I couldn’t leave her there.” He rushed the kitten to the ship’s medical bay, where crew members warmed her with heating pads and fed her formula using a syringe. The feline, christened “Nautica” for her maritime rescue, quickly became the crew’s mascot, curling up in hammocks and chasing stray buttons on the mess deck.
Upon returning to shore, Harrison coordinated with the Royal Navy’s welfare services to find Nautica a permanent home. She was soon adopted by fellow sailor Lisa Carter, who works at the Portsmouth Naval Base. “Nautica’s got more courage than half our crew—she even tries to climb the rigging in my quarters,” Carter laughed. “Having her around feels like bringing a piece of the ship’s camaraderie home.”
The rescue has inspired the Royal Navy to launch a new initiative encouraging sailors to report stray animals encountered during deployments. “Pets have always been part of naval tradition, from ship’s cats to mascots,” said Commander Sarah Mitchell. “Nautica’s story shows how a little compassion can make a big difference—both for the animal and the crew.”
Animal welfare groups have praised the sailors’ efforts, noting that orphaned kittens under two weeks old have only a 50% survival rate without human intervention. “PO Harrison’s quick thinking saved Nautica’s life,” said a spokesperson for the RSPCA. “Her journey from lifeboat to loving home is a testament to the bond between humans and animals.”
Nautica now spends her days exploring Carter’s garden and napping in a tiny hammock modeled after those on the HMS Albion. “She may never sail the seven seas, but she’s definitely the captain of our hearts,” Carter added.
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