River Orwell rower joined on board by curious grey seal

A rower was joined by an adventurous seal during a solo trip on the River Orwell.

Rower Terry Davey, 71, was visited by the seal while fulfilling his dream to scull solo from Woodbridge to Ipswich in a boat he designed and built.

The curious grey seal approached Mr Davey’s boat and after making some “encouraging noises”, hauled itself on board.

According to Mr Davey, the animal moved on and off the boat a number of times before settling down and allowing itself to be rowed along, as seen in the short video above.

“There were many big yachts circling around and taking pictures,” said Mr Davey, a founding member of Deben Rowing Club. “I have never known one to be that bold before. It almost went to sleep at one point.”

Credit: Terry Davey

The journey, which went from Woodbridge via Felixstowe Ferry and Harwich harbour then up the River Orwell to Ipswich, was completed in just less than five hours.

“I was knackered by the end of it but I feel the seal has stolen my thunder,” Mr Davey added.

Have you ever been accompanied by an animal on a boating trip?

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