How to bring your pets onto your boat, with safety and ease, enjoying every moment.

There is nothing comparable to the unconditional love we receive from our adoring pets.  They are always there by our side as lifelong companions, comforting us in times of trouble and sharing in our moments of joy.  So why not bring them along for every new adventure, allowing them to experience everything we do while in turn, we can appreciate their company.  Many of us spend valuable time on our boats, maybe even living aboard year round, and we absolutely must bring our pets with us.  If you are a pet owner or are thinking of adding some animals to the family, there are some things to think about before jumping into the idea.  With some careful planning and organizing, both you and your pets will be able to enjoy the wonderful experience in boating.

Preparation starts in the beginning, either before purchasing a pre-owned vessel or in the early stages of new construction, you must start thinking about your pets’ safety and comfort.  Phil and Suzy Tyson came to Lucid Yacht Group when deciding to construct there presently owned 59’ Symbol Classic Pilothouse, "Offline." Their two dogs, Tikki and Willow, both had prior boating experience and had become accustomed to life on the ocean, but there were still some important issues to address.  The Tysons decided to make some changes in the design in order to promote safety for their animals.  They increased the angles of the steps from the galley to the fly bridge, making it easier for their pets to travel from one area to the next. They also added transom doors to their vessel providing a way for them to keep their animals confined to one area where they could watch over them more closely. If you are dealing with new construction, you might want to start to visualize your animals aboard and picture their presence on the boat.

If you are already boat owners, maybe you want to begin to think about some changes that need to be made to your boat.  Jay and Bonnie Carpenter, Symbol owners, have in their family, two large cats, Mertz and Bali and a Cairn terrier named Skipper.  Bonnie explains, “When we are looking for a boat, it is necessary to have a kids’ room.  This is a stateroom that has wicker cages for all the kids. When we are on the way the kids feel secure because they are in their own comfortable space.”

Think about designating a place for your animals, maybe not an entire room, but definitely somewhere that can be their own.  Do not assume that your animals will automatically love the ocean just as you do. Introduce them slowly, letting them get familiar with their surroundings and allowing them to adjust to their new home.

When looking at the exterior of your boat, start to think about their comfort and safety as well.  Your animals will probably be spending a lot of time on the outside of the boat and the fiberglass decks can be very slippery especially when wet.  Putting down rubber flooring or throw rugs can create some traction for your animals and also prevent unnecessary falls.  These rugs will offer a place for your animals to stay cool, which will be another thing for you to think about when taking their comfort into account.                                               

As the scorching sun reflects off the water, it can get extremely hot for you and your animals aboard your yacht.  Your animals can suffer from dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke, so pay attention to their behavior and always make sure to be giving them lots of water.  Certain warning signs to look for are heavy panting or low movement and fatigue.  The heat is not the only thing that could make your animals sick; the ocean might have that same effect.  That’s right!  Animals can experience sea sickness just as human beings do.  Their symptoms are very similar to our own, acting disoriented, unstable, or exhausted.  Suzy Tyson mentioned that Tikki has gotten seasick, but she is able to take pills.  Consult your veterinarian on different medications and the proper dosage to give your animals.

While aboard your yacht, it’s important to remember that dogs especially need their exercise.  Do your best to entertain your animals while onboard, encouraging them to participate in playtime and allowing them to cool off in the water when supervised, of course.  Taking them for a ride on the dingy, exploring the world around you, might be a great escape for everyone.  The changes in scenery creates a sense of adventure for your animals, while also providing a wonderful experience for you as well.         

What about when your animals need to go to the bathroom?  For cats it seems pretty easy, placing a litter box or maybe even teaching them to use the toilet, which will definitely be a timely effort, but can be done.  For our dogs, it’s a different story; most of us are used to taking them on walks. If you are able to dock and your dog can stand the wait, you can certainly use this as an option. For those dogs that do not have that element of control, you might want to designate an area where they can go to the bathroom. Bonnie offered her experience with the bathroom situation stating, “The cats have special crates in their room. Skipper can be taken to shore easily on the dingy or when we dock he will go on shore. It is not a problem because he is just a little guy (15lbs.). We do not anchor out that much, but pee pads are available. Also, a synthetic grass 2’x2’ square can be put on the swim platform that can easily be cleaned.” Suzy Tyson says, “On long runs, Tikki will go to the bathroom on the boat. Willow has a large holding tank and prefers to hold it. At dock or anchor, we take them off about 4 times per day. We do long walks and run around the Portuguese bridge!”    

When docking your boat, you will need to educate yourself on which marinas are pet friendly and which are not.  Bonnie shares her experience, saying, “Marinas are very pet friendly. The usual cleaning up after them is always a necessity. Key West is always a great place for pets. Skipper has been to some of the best restaurants! That being said, he has also been thrown out of other restaurants that do not appreciate his dazzling personality.” The Tysons agreed with them, saying that all the marinas that they have been too have been pet friendly as well, as long as people clean up after their animals.

Once you have begun to transform your boat into a home that suits your pets, it is essential that you purchase some additional materials.  Think of your animals as you would think of children, what would you want them to have?  One of the most important items to purchase for your animals is a life jacket.  Most life jackets are worn by dogs, but you may also find them for cats and other smaller animals.  When researching various jackets, keep in mind, that you want your animals to feel relaxed and secure.  Many jackets have safety straps along the sides, which will assist you in pulling them out of the water if they happen to fall in.  If an animal slips in the water, they may start to panic, clawing at any surface they can find.  Phil and Suzy say their dogs have a harness on at all times in case they ever fall in the water, they can easily be pulled out.  Bonnie Carpenter says that her dog Skipper also has a life jacket, but her two cats do not.  Ask other pet owners which types of jackets work best for their pets or research the internet for different kinds of companies that provide these products.

What if your animals fell overboard without you realizing?  What if they wandered off while you were docked at a marina?  Most boaters even homeowners purchase ID tags or microchips for their animals incase they were ever lost.  You should do the same for your animals when living in your new home.  An ID tag hangs on your pet’s collar and should provide your boat marina’s permanent address, slip number, and phone number.  Include a number where you can be reached at all times, whether on land or out at sea.  A microchip offers the same information, but instead of hanging on the animal’s collar, it is implanted in the skin between the shoulder blades.  A veterinarian can scan this sensor and the necessary information for you animal will be displayed, allowing them to return your animal to its home.

Another item new in technology and worth purchasing is a special sensor, which both animals and people can wear.  These sensors send off a signal when emerged in water or at a certain distance from the boat, alerting the crew that a member has fallen overboard.  These sensors can range anywhere from $500 to $1000, so you may want to look into the different options that companies offer.

When bringing your animals onto your yacht, try to look at it from every angle and consider every possibility.  Planning is essential in these matters and nothing should be overlooked.  Start with the actual layout of your boat and visualize your animals fitting in that environment.  Always make sure they are comfortable, healthy, and at ease.  Bring the life that they had when living on land to your boat and allow them to experience the same great pleasures.  Make sure their safety is always in mind and research certain products that will accomplish that. Finally, go to other boat owners and ask them questions about bringing their pets into the yachting life.  When your pets settle in you will find it impossible to imagine any life without them, and now, you won’t have to.

Resources:
Boat U.S.Magazine Boating Pets, November 2000

Mad Mariner ...Four-Legged Crew, by Carol-Ann Giroday, 2000

The Washington Post, Ahoy Fluffy. How to Keep Pets Safely Afloat, by Ann Cameron Siegal

Boat US magazine Is Boating going to the Dogs?- pets onboard, by Elaine Dickinson, January 2000

Special Thanks to:

Jay & Bonnie Carpenter owners of a Symbol 66 Pilothouse, and Phil & Suzy Tyson owners of a Symbol 59 Classic.