Featured Image Credit: Tribunist
What’s the most American thing you can do? Saving a bald eagle from drowning is definitely up there on the list.
That is exactly what a Maine lobster boat crew did when they spotted a struggling bald eagle offshore in the North Atlantic last Thursday. The unusual sight caught the men off guard and they were even more shocked when the bird hitched a ride on their boat for a while after they saved him. The video taken by a crew member shows the bird was flopping around out in the waves and tried to get into their boat but failed.
Lobster boat crew rescues a one-eyed eagle that was swimming next to their boat off the coast of Maine. https://t.co/4kX9hH8uWa pic.twitter.com/In6ZMsbwow
— ABC News (@ABC) August 2, 2017
The crew had to take things into their own hands and two retired police officers aboard the boat made a makeshift raft from a life preserver, a piece of plywood and rope to save the bald eagle. The feathery animal was finally able to hop onto the raft and was hauled to the stern of the boat. When the crew got a closer look at the animal, they noticed it was missing an eye and seemed to be an older bird. The eagle flew away before they could deliver him to game wardens for care and rehabilitation.
After taking a little break on its rescuers boat, it spread its wings and soared away. The men were blown away by the calmness of the bird and just how massive it was up close. These iconic birds are rarely seen up close in the wild by spectators. It was a treat the crew won’t forget.