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Safe/Sea Canine Corps by: Captain Phil LeBlanc
After the addition of a new member to the Safe/Sea Canine Corps, and countless questions about our furry companions over the course of the winter, we though it was time for a new article about our four-pawed deckhands. Because Safe/Sea captains most often work alone, our canine companions have become much more than just pets. They have stood beside us in the pilothouse through the worst of weather, and oftentimes acted as goodwill ambassadors when pulling alongside stranded boaters with children. In fact, these crewmembers are often better remembered than the captains who perform the jobs, and I have often been referred to as "the captain who has Mate aboard". With that in mind, I would like to introduce the 2007 Safe/Sea Canine Corps. Mate is a five year old Portuguese Water Dog and also my best friend and most trusted deckhand. He has become the ultimate assistant, and has logged countless hours underway. This will be his sixth year of service and his favorite words (besides cookie), are boat, dock, and work. As soon as he hears any of these, he immediately runs to the door and proceeds to jump in circles just waiting to get underway. He has been spotted barking at approaching vessels in the fog, as well as keeping small children calm and comfortable in the face of danger. He is well known in many local harbors as the little furry head that peers over the bow and paces across the aft deck whenever we are in port. Portuguese Water Dogs have been bred for hundreds of years to perform multiple tasks on the water, and Mate is no exception. He is just as comfortable underway as on the couch, and as the most experienced member of the Canine Corps, tries very hard to stay in the boat and set a good example. Anchor, the newest member and rookie of the Canine Corps, is the constant sidekick of Captain Pete Andrews. This will be Anchor's first full year underway, but he has already proven true to his roots. At just over a year old, he is, like Mate and Captain Pete's former deckhand Toque, a Portuguese Water Dog. Unlike Toque, who spent years patrolling offshore and called Block Island his second home, Anchor seems to be very content with the gentle inshore waters of Narragansett Bay. Though he is not following directly in the paw prints of his ancestors and herding fish into nets, he is excelling in the quick response field and hopes to have his Master's License when he turns 18 (in dog years of course). Many of you will remember Bos'n, a four year old Portuguese Water Dog owned by Safe/Sea owner Capt. John Andrews and his wife Sally. Bos'n has spent the last few years underway with Capt. Pete, but after an extensive amount of schooling, has moved on to the healthcare field. Bos'n now spends his days as a therapy dog and can be found in local hospitals and nursing homes bringing joy and companionship to those who are ill. He still holds a position in the Canine Corps Reserves and is available for call-up at a moments notice. Flo, another Portuguese Water Dog owned by Capt. John and Sally also spent years on the water before deciding to retire in 2001. Feeling that her time was better spent raising a family, Flo has produced many gorgeous litters and her children can be found on boats up and down the East coast. As the mother of both Bos'n and Anchor, she is still a voice of authority around the Corps. Capt. Andy Casey also has two dogs to call upon when he needs help. Lily, a Maltese who is the radar watch specialist, and Zorro, a Rat Terrier, who is Capt. Casey's communications officer. With these two aboard, Andy is seldom without a willing crew. The only sticking point in their training has been on the subject of catenary. Every time Andy tries to explain the concept of sagging in the towline he can't get past the word cat without causing chaos. Last but not least is the Gunner’s Mate of the Mid-Watch, “a.k.a. Gunner”. Gunner is a three year old Chocolate Lab, and is tipping the scales at 85 lbs. He enjoys swimming, fetching, swimming, fetching, and swimming, and fetching. When he is not riding the Safe/Sea boat with Captain Kent Dresser, he is busy teaching US Coast Guard Captain’s license courses at Confident Captain/Ocean Pros in Newport. When he is out on pleasure cruises, Kent has to pay close attention to how fast he swims so he doesn’t upset the harbormaster with his excessive speed and wake. If you see any of our Canine Corps while underway or at the dock, feel free to come over and say hello. None of them have ever been accused of being shy, and will happily sit still for a photo as long as a proper bribe has been offered to them.
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