AN urgent naval despatch, detailing a daring rescue on the high seas, has just landed across our desk.
At 8.30 hrs on July 28, the report states, the Captain of HMS Peacock, Lieutenant Commander Sean Steeds, spotted a small body floating face down in the water about 6.5 kilometres due southwest of Green Island.
The crew members of the Peacock were immediately mobilised into action.
Their teamwork and the perfectly executed recovery operation resulted in a teddy bear, about a metre in height, being plucked from the waves.
It was in a soggy condition, but was otherwise diagnosed as being in good health.
The bear, who was too shocked to speak or to provide his name or address, was quartered in the wardroom - because the captain felt he would be more at home among the junior officers.
''It was lucky I happened to be out on the bridge wing at the time,'' said Lieutenant Commander Steeds.