Rescued Polish pooch becomes sea dog

A year after he was plucked from an ice floe off Poland's coast, Baltic the dog has found his sea legs again.

Baltic was rescued twelve months ago after an odyssey during which he floated on an ice sheet down the Vistula River, then 18 miles out to sea.

The rescue of the shivering, frightened mutt gained worldwide attention.

Adam Buczynski, the dog's rescuer and now his master, said Baltic is a faithful companion to him.

Mr Buczynski said the dog, now the ship's pet and mascot, shows signs of anxiety when the sea is rough but sails around happily with the crew when it is calm.

"He also likes sitting on the captain's bridge. He has been nominated the observer by the captain, because he observes what is happening outside," he said.

The ship is leaving on a two-month mission on Thursday, meaning that Baltic will be separated from his master and left in the care of friends on land.

Baltic was rescued in January 2010 in subfreezing temperatures after the ship's crew spotted him floating at sea trapped on an ice floe.

It's not clear where the dog's journey began, but Baltic was seen two days before his rescue floating down the Vistula River.