Photo By Frank Kaminski | NUWC Division, Keyport employees free osprey from fishing line snare... read more read more
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Two employees at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport recently rescued an osprey entangled in fishing line. The incident happened near a building adjacent to the command’s sports field and involved the quick thinking of Deckhand Travis Araki and Navy Wounded Warrior Transition Coordinator Justin Vautrin.
Araki was driving to his building when he noticed the bird struggling on the side of the road. “As I approached it,” said Araki, “it looked like this bird was reaching out for help. He tried to fly away, but he couldn’t.” Araki quickly parked, assessed the situation, and saw fishing line wrapped around the osprey’s wing and talons.
Vautrin, who was also driving to his building, noticed the commotion and stopped to help. “I looked out my window and saw the bird on the side of the road—it was just standing there, slowly opening its wings a little,” he said. Realizing the bird was in distress, Vautrin retrieved scissors and a baseball glove from his office to assist.
Araki removed his flannel shirt and gently used it to calm the bird while the two worked together to free it. Wearing the baseball glove for protection against the osprey's talons and beak, Vautrin carefully cut the fishing line.
Once the line was removed, the osprey quickly regained its strength and movement. After a few initial hops, “it took another jump and realized it could open its wings—and its wingspan was like six feet,” said Vautrin. “It was incredible, just how close we were to it, and then it just took off.”
Crystal St. Clair-Canaii, National Environmental Policy Act coordinator at NUWC Division, Keyport, acknowledged the proactive approach taken by Araki and Vautrin. “The compassion and quick thinking demonstrated by Araki and Vautrin in their recent effort to assist the entangled osprey highlights our commitment to both employee well-being and environmental stewardship,” said St. Clair-Canaii.
Asila Bergman, a marine mammal specialist and wildlife biologist at the command, said Araki and Vautrin made the right call in deciding to help the bird.
“They intervened quickly, and it turned out to be an incredible success,” Bergman said.
St. Clair-Canaii encouraged anyone who encounters a similar situation to contact the Naval Base Kitsap Spill Line at 360-337-0334 for assistance.
“Dispatch can connect you with trained wildlife professionals who can safely handle these situations,” said St. Clair-Canaii. “Following this procedure minimizes risk to employees and ensures the animal receives appropriate care.”
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2025 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 551140 |
| Location: | KEYPORT, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 239 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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