Ireland: An armada of small, faded yellow toy ducks is expected to make landfall in Ireland and Britain within weeks at the end of an epic 11-year voyage from the Pacific Ocean.
They are the survivors of a consignment of 29,000 bath toys washed overboard from a container ship in 1992 that have since floated across the ocean, round the US, through the Arctic and past Greenland.
Most of the fading flotilla is now heading down the eastern seaboard of the US, although a breakaway group has been spotted heading for north-west Europe, the company that made the ducks said yesterday.
"We hope people will have fun looking for them, and look forward to tracking them when they finally come ashore," said Mr Clive Wooster, of The First Years company.
"These amazing little ducks are becoming much sought after. In parts of the world they have actually become cult collectors' items."
The US-based company is offering a reward of $100 in savings bonds to anyone who finds a duck in New England, Canada and Iceland.
Only a signed certificate is offered to the finders of the first 250 in Britain or Ireland.
To claim certificates you may contact 0044-1488-670 002. - (Reuters)