TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Dogs on bare boat trip

Hello all,

My family is traveling to the BVI next week for our first bare boat trip and we are bringing our Goldendoodle with us. We’ve completed all the necessary paperwork and health inspections. I’m looking for any suggestions or lessons learned for those who have brought dogs with them in the past. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Sean

I don't know anything about the sailing portion of the trip, but be EXTREMELY careful with the dog off the boat. Many places in the BVI put out poisons for various pests. If your dog is one that will pick up anything on the ground that seems edible, I would NEVER let him/her off the leash and watch them like a hawk!

I must start this conversation by stating that I am dog owner and lover. Is the dog accustomed to boating and being onboard for prolonged periods? Is she used to being on/in the water? As you are presumably chartering I personally feel you should have express permission form the boat owner, even if she is with a charter company, and if not from the direct owner then permission from the company concerned. As a (former) owner of a charter boat, I would want to know of this and put certain rules of my own into place: you should be prepared to pay for a thorough deep clean at end of charter, dog must never be allowed on beds or cushions. This might sound harsh as no doubt you are very caring owners (but how does anyone know that?) but subsequent charterers might not be dog friendly and could have severe allergies which could lead to a loss of income.

That said, other points to consider might be planning carefully where you are intending to dock/moor as dogs might not be welcome everywhere (Leverick did not welcome dogs other than their own local dogs pre Irma for example) . Take a huge quantity of poop sacks and suppose of them very carefully, enough said, never down boat toilets. Clearly coming from Texas your dog is accustomed to heat but this is most likely not a good idea for all.

Good luck.

How are you getting to Tortola? How are you getting to the charter base? You will find the cab drivers don't like dogs. The airport personnel likely will not be helpful either. Does your charter company know your bringing a dog on board? They likely won't like it either. Everything will take more time. Private cabs, more time at customs at the airport. More time at the airport terminal allow time for long delays on both ends.

By the way I love dogs and I would not dream of doing this. I would not put myself through it or the dog.

Jay

Capt Jay is always a good voice to listen to when it comes to charters.....IMHO

I wouldn't want to be the charter right after...

No recommended for a charter boat, to bring a pet onboard. It is unlikely they would even allow it. Best to check with the charter company before getting too far along with your plans. And as Carol said, many places use poison to control dog problems. Just sayin'.

I would love to take my dog on a bareboat trip but even as a owner it’s not allowed. The other issue is getting there. More and more airlines are refusing to transport pets since conditions are not great on airport ramps and it’s a traumatic experience for the dog. I was aboard a lagoon 440 private boat where the owners had a great lab on board however he had done considerable damage to the flooring. When the boat moves dogs instinctively try and dig their claws in and scratches result.
I don’t think you will get any lessons learned because in over 100 plus weeks sailing in the BVI I have never seen a dog on a charterboat.
G

leave your dog at home for your sake and for his.

I assumed without knowing that they were doing a charter plane to get the dog there. No WAY I would put a dog in cargo to the Caribbean for a pleasure trip.

I can’t imagine adding to the stress of a first time bare boat charter by having a dog onboard. Have you contacted the restaurants/businesses you plan to stop at to find out whether your dog is welcome? Do you plan to leave your dog on the boat while you go ashore? Have you designated someone from your crew to dog sit on your boat so your dog won’t bark and howl disturbing everyone else in the mooring field?

Just flew back from st Thomas recently. Lady across from me had a cocker spaniel on her lap the whole flight. I’m allergic to dogs with fur but not hair. Have a Maltese at home that has hair and zero shedding. Ironically on the flight an anoucement was made that a passenger on the flight had a peanut allergy and that all should refrain from eating anything with peanuts as an ingredient.

Original Poster......I am a little stressed for your dog just thinking about all that can go wrong with bringing your doodle! We own a house in the BVI and have not yet brought our baby because of many of the reasons stated.

Please come back, read through the experience BVI travelers advice and tell us you have rethought your first time bareboat plans.......

You know some people “love” dogs and others love dogs. If my wife had to choose between me and our dog to go on a trip she would choose the dog. We board our dogs on trips and for both the dog and my wife it is literally traumatic for them. I can understand people bringing their dog with them and see know issues that can be overcome. I would be more concerned with a new born which people frequently bring. This would be up to the charter co. I believe her dog is hyperallogenic, no shedding like my Maltese. I can wrestle with my white colored dog with black pants and black shirt and have not a single hair on me as opposed to my sisters golden retriever which shed so much at a recent barbecue the entire surface of my pool was filled with fur. Good luck Sean! Don’t be discouraged.

Thanks for all the replies folks. I should have mentioned that my doodle is a registered and trained ESA dog that goes everywhere with me. He has traveled with us on multiple vacations by air and car. He's been to Canada, CO, Utah and various parts of Texas. He has spent time on boats at the lake, but residing on a boat will be a first. We have already cleared having him on board with the Moorings and with Foxy's Charters who will bring us to and from from STT. All the paperwork has been filed with the BVI and they are expecting us. I'll be sure to blog next week letting everyone know how we progress. Peace and love...Sean

The Moorings does allow ESA animals. To be legitimate it should meet both the following tests.

1) Does the person seeking to use and live with the animal have a disability — i.e., a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities?

(2) Does the person making the request have a disability-related need for an assistance animal? In other words, does the animal work, provide assistance, perform tasks or services for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provide emotional support that alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of a person's existing disability?

The ESA classification is heavily abused. As a consequence there are moves in place to require far more documentation. I assume in your case you meet the tests. Keep in mind however that the ESA laws do not apply in the BVI and you may find the dog is not welcome ashore in many areas.
G

As I am just back from the BVI I would wager that all the restaurants will welcome you and your dog laying at your feet. Most restaurants were less than 1/3 full. And if you r not welcome than I’m sure you would be happy having a meal on your boat with your faithful companion. Give me a break.

Hi Five Catmandu! I have spent time in Jamaica, Antigua, BVI 3x at Sunset House, Bahamas 2x, and Turks & Caicos. The people in the Caribbean are the most laid back and accommodating in the world so it would surprise me if they took issue with Barley. I must say I have been pretty surprised at the negative comments on this thread. The BVI Facebook pages were just the opposite.

You may be getting more feedback on this site from folks that are actual charter boat owners. I wonder if Moorings contacted the owner of your boat for approval. I doubt since it's difficult to get them to tell you the name of the boat you'll be on.

I would be very careful bringing the dog ashore. There are many local dogs roaming free that are very territorial. In March, I watched three local dogs attack each other on Cane Garden Bay beach right in front of several freaked out beach goer's that tried to break them up while keeping their hands from getting mangled. One large dog had its ear nearly ripped off.

You may be getting more feedback on this site from folks that are actual charter boat owners. I wonder if Moorings contacted the owner of your boat for approval. I doubt since it's difficult to get them to tell you the name of the boat you'll be on.

I would be very careful bringing the dog ashore. There are many local dogs roaming free that are very territorial. In March, I watched three local dogs attack each other on Cane Garden Bay beach right in front of several freaked out beach goer's that tried to break them up while keeping their hands from getting mangled. One large dog had its ear nearly ripped off.

Well hears your answer as far as Moorings allowing pets on boats. I’m sure it’s reflected as welll in the contract between Moorings and owners.

https://www.moorings.com/faqs

As far as worrying about strays in BVI, well I have encountered strays in my neighborhood as well as parks. Just be diligent.

I thought boaters were a different breed, excuse the pun, liking adventure and the risks and challenges that go along with it. That’s what drew me to it. I’m sure if you asked Barley would he like to participate in the adventure with the risks he would no doubt say yes, bring it on.

First off, I’m both a dog and catamaran owner. Though I’d enjoy having our therapy dog with us in the BVI it won’t happen. Unless the dog is use to being on a boat it won’t be fun. Most boat owners with dogs have wisely placed netting all around the railings. There’s no way I’d have my dog on our boat without netting. Netting is an option I’ve never known any charter to offer. One other point, dogs have been known to die from salt water, by drinking too much ( mostly by accident)

OY! So much with the advice from people with no knowledge. You're going to be just fine. Just understand that the locals don't regard dogs as members of their family...more like livestock. So PLEASE keep him on a leash on Tortola, VG, and JVD. Poison is common, particularly on JVD.
It will be a great experience for all of you! Just be sure that you give him a freshwater rinse EVERY night, whether he's been swimming or not. And dry him with towels. The salt interferes with his natural ability to cool.
You will be well-received by all ex-pat establishments. You will be well tolerated by local establishments.
EVERYONE will be anxious to welcome a well-behaved, friendly pup.
In an abundance of caution, you might touch base with Dr. Sarah, just in case there's a need.
Have fun! Please report back on your experience!

What kind of boat did you charter from the Moorings and what are your cruising dates? We will be down 28th-4th. We will be on a 514PC and love dogs!

no knowledge, bless your heart YachtReprise! And an expert on JVD to boot! Impressive.

The original poster asked for suggestions and tips, he got well thought out responses. I am a lover of animals and especially dogs. We take our golden boating on the regular in the 1000 Islands, NY., with that being said, even though our dog is an experienced boater, I wouldn’t subject him to a plane ride, in the summer heat, especially on my [b] first [b] bareboat experience in the BVI.

To each his own......Have a lovely day.

The original poster asked for suggestions and tips from those that HAVE brought dogs with them in the past. All of the negative posts have come from those that have not. That being said I do believe that some of the comments have merit but it all comes down to the legitimate risks/rewards which are relative to the person assessing them.

I'll just chime in on the dog living aboard. I imagine if the dog does fine on a boat then spending a week on it shouldn't be a problem. We have our boat up in Rhode Island now and have brought our dog 3 times with us and he did great. Our stays were only over a weekend, but we spent 2 nights each time and he did fine. He had a number of day sails prior on a smaller boat.

As far as the comments regarding the dog flying, being an ESA, the dog would fly in the cabin so there's no issues there.

My last dog spent weeks at a time on the boat and loved it. I would never bring a dog to the BVIs.

I have seen dogs on private boats, never on a charte boat

Awww shucks, not an expert. Just a casual visitor for 35 years, business operator, resident, whose daughter was born in the BVI. But by no means an expert. And thanks for your blessings. Now my day...no my LIFE...is complete!

Anywho, Sean, before Godwin's Rule comes to pass, if I can help with any advice, please PM me. I'd be happy to share my local knowledge...although, again, I'm not an expert. (Wait, am I? I'm so confused now!)

If the original poster is disabled and requires the dog to function as required under ESA rules I don’t think anyone would ever have a problem with that.
I deal however with the fake ESA issue all the time at work. It’s a giant pain and because the level of fraud is so high new restrictions more than likely will make it far more difficult for those who truly need a ESA to function.
I am not implying anything about the OP. I have no knowledge of what her disability might be. This is a observation of the can of worms the ESA program has become.
G

Thanks for all the comments, feedback, and suggestions folks. Yes, AA has already approved Barley to ride in the cabin with us so he won't have to be in the bottom of the plane. I would never subject him to riding down there even though I believe they put live animals in a pressurized part of the belly of the plane. I have heard about salt water poisoning but I wasn't aware that it interferes with a dogs ability to cool herself. Barley is used to the heat and loves to swim, but I will be sure to limit his time in the ocean. We are bringing potty pads for him to use on the boat since this boat does not have netting (at least the pix don't show any). I am planning to keep in on the lease and will be on the lookout for strays when we are on shore.

Steve~We are chartering a PC 433. We pick up our boat on the 27th. We're planning to stay on dock that night then head to JVD-after that we'll see where the wind blows us. Would love to meet up with you guys!!!

YachtReprise~Thanks for you comments and support! It's great to know the different ways the expats and native islanders view dogs. I'm sure that will be helpful. We will definitely keep an eye out for the poison. Do they tend to place it in specific locations on or around the beaches?

Few tips:

Be considerate of the fact that many people in the BVI dislike/are afraid of dogs
I assume you have a lifejacket for your dog, if not, get one
Your dog will probably be much thirstier than usual, so watch the water bowl
Second the freshwater rinse as suggested above, or they will be uncomfortable and itchy
Make sure you bring a blanket or something for your dog to sleep on
Bring chew treats etc with you, they aren't always easily available here
Don't ever leave the dog on the deck if you leave the boat. Shut them in the galley with ventilation, cabin doors shut
Check with any business before you take the dog ashore. Personally, I don't take mine ashore at Jost
For your peace of mind, buy a poison kit from Canines Cats and Critters opposite Nanny Cay before you start

Ime most dogs love sailing and are pretty easy shipmates. Have fun!

Talk to Moorings. I've seen netting on their boats before. I don't know if it is something they do or if the charter guests did it though. This was done for boats with kids on them.

I don’t think netting is needed if the dog is well behaved. I have not seen a issue with dogs accidentally falling overboard. I have personal experience however with dogs jumping off the boat on purpose. Our Golden Retriever jumps from the boat anytime she thinks it would be fun. Speed is irrelevant to her jumping habit. She tucks and rolls like a navy seal! She also retrieves anything going overboard including children!

Ha ha agreed. Mine have never fallen but they will certainly jump (and swim a long way to shore if they feel like it). They are now confined to the cockpit when underway and in the salon/galley if left on the boat.

Thank you for the tips especially for the poison kit and not bringing him on JVD! I will follow your lead! I am very concerned about him getting poisoned and would be devastated if that happened. I have been so concerned about poisoning that I was thinking about leaving him home.

Also, I'll ask the Moorings about the netting. Thanks for that tip. He does have a life jacket that I plan to make him wear at all times just in case.

Poisoning is a very real risk in the BVI, especially if the dog is not 100% trained NOT to pick up anything on the ground.

One other tip regarding the boat. I would not leave him alone on the boat (at least during the day) to make sure the generator or AC does not develop an issue and stop cooling the cabin. Those salons get hot fast in the sun without working AC.

Is he a Wheaten? We had two. This question has nothing to do with the topic.
JW