Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Junior navy officers save swimmer’s life in Strait of Gibraltar
3 March 2026
Junior Royal Navy officers saved the life of a man attempting to swim one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
The officers – crewing sailing ship TS Pelican of London as part of their training – responded to a distress call from the Spanish authorities as the vessel headed into the Atlantic through the Strait of Gibraltar.
A flashing light had been seen in the water near Pelican’s position in the dead of night.
Pelican quickly found the source of the light – a mobile phone – and the crew of Royal Navy sailors prepared to haul the swimmer from the Strait.
A strop was sent down on a line and the swimmer succeeded in putting in on so he could be hauled on board
Once safely onboard, he received medical treatment but apart from being extremely tired and cold – despite wearing a wet suit and fins – he was none the worse for wear.
The swimmer is believed to have been trying to cross the nine miles from North Africa to Spain – battling not just strong tides/currents, but also heavy traffic: 300 ships a day pass between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, one every five minutes. He had been using his phone to track shipping movements to avoid being run over by passing vessels.
Once warmed up, the swimmer was handed over to a Spanish rescue vessel off Algeciras, vigorously shaking the hands of the sailors who saved him and thanking them profusely.
“Through their upmost professionalism and competence, the entire ship’s company effected this rescue and saved a life. A fantastic team effort in the great traditions of the Royal Navy. I believe the future of the Senior Service is in very good hands,” said Captain Darren Naggs, TS Pelican of London’s Master.
“It must take some desperate courage to embark on a swim across such congested waters in what became deteriorating weather conditions. I believe he was a very lucky man to have been picked up, the consequences are too unpleasant to contemplate.”
TS Pelican of London is used to give up to 36 officers – both Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary – additional experience of seafaring, navigational and team-building.
It’s in the closing stage of its first deployment of the winter to the eastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean, returning to Dartmouth later this month.