New dog what to do about Ferry

[gus-lopez]

If the boat was to sink i couldn't live with myself thinking my dogs had drowned alone so id rather be with them.

That's why I have always used dfds from Dunkirk. Open deck boats you can access the car decks easily from over the back.

I’m not sure there are any crew members on the car decks though as IIRC the doors were shut, possibly locked

I'm with Tam on this one . I want to be able get to the dogs/s in an emergency. You wouldn't leave your kids to drown and the dogs are the same as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Just smiffy]

That's why I have always used dfds from Dunkirk. Open deck boats you can access the car decks easily from over the back.

I'm with Tam on this one . I want to be able get to the dogs/s in an emergency. You wouldn't leave your kids to drown and the dogs are the same as far as I'm concerned.

I was left many times on my own as a child and I’m alright … mind you, there are some that do say I need therapy

 

[PaulV]

Hi, looking for some thoghts on our new dilemma. We have just bought a new puppy (miniature Schnauzer) and picking up at end of month so good news. Bad news is we had booked to cross over to France using Poole - Cherberg BF route mid August so pup would only be 4 1/2 months old. We are thinking this may be a bit young and maybe a trauma for him, I know we can visit the deck to check on him but still... We live in Essex so were planning to meet our son in Cornwall then travel back to poole for crossing and have booked tunnel home already.

So what are seasoned dog owners thoughts, as I see it we have 3 choices

1. Carry on with booking, excercise him well before to tire him out, visit him on car deck after say 1 hour then every hour until allowed back on the car deck when coming into port.
2. We have a Flexi ticket so push it out till next year when he is older then as above.
3. Lose deposit and use Chunnel

Thanks in advance.

 

[PaulV]

As you’re visiting your Son in Cornwall, why not take the ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff. The Pont Aven boat now has dog friendly cabins.

 

[gus-lopez]

As you’re visiting your Son in Cornwall, why not take the ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff. The Pont Aven boat now has dog friendly cabins.

& they need booking 6 months in advance.

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[Langtoftlad]

It’s illegal, end of .

Is it though
...or just contrary to the company's condition of travel, in which case, a civil matter, rather like trespass.

Why the angst?
Does it affect you?
Is your crossing inherently less safe, if someone skulks in his MoHo with his puppy?

No is the answer.

 

[PrettyandFluffy]

I would recommend every dog owner who travels regularly to Europe to visit a vet in Europe and get an EU Pet Passport issued , you don' have to have an address in Europe and the Vet we used in Calais was recommended to us by Le Shuttle and all he did was copy all the info from the UK docs into the Passport. The EU passport is accepted by the UK and cuts out the need for Vet visits etc before leaving the UK

If you haven't already, please would you share this info in this thread? Thank you. https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...u-pet-passports-to-brits-since-brexit.247111/

 

[Rumour and Innuendo]

Well done . You're one of lifes hero's.

Where im frim thats called a grass and can be life threatening

Where I am from, that is called a threat! The emoji after it doesn't take the threat away! Jim does need to police a bit more!

 

[MichaelT]

Just found this on .gov.uk - I think it looks as though you'll be stacking your BF booking until next year whatever!

You must get your dog, cat or ferret vaccinated against rabies before it can travel. Your vet needs proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.

If you’re taking your pet to the EU or Northern Ireland, you must wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before you travel.

You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they’ll need to be vaccinated again.
The vaccine must be an inactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccine that’s approved in the country of use.

Yes he will be 18 weeks?

 

[MichaelT]

The earliest age recommended for rabies vaccination is three months. Earliest date for travel is three weeks after that. Personally I would not get a puppy vaccinated at such a young age

Why not if its recommended

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[SWW]

We have always had two dogs which makes ferry crossings easier. We draw the blinds and leave music or dvd on. Both have always been fast asleep when we get back to the van. However we use the short Dover Calais route. Last summer we crossed with a 4 month old Jack Russell (born 30 April travelled 20 August). We took the tunnel as the pup was still being house trained and we were unhappy about him being left on a noisy lorry deck, even if he was with a calm older dog. He has since made another successful tunnel crossing. I would really recommend the tunnel with a young pup and like other members suggest get him out in the car or van every day, even if it is just around the block.

 

[Rob1562]

As far as i'm aware the crossing is about 4.5 hours.
The dog should be absolutely fine for that length of time, just build the pup up slowly to being left alone for that length of time before the journey.
We got our pup at 9 weeks and crate trained her from the outset. By 12 weeks she was happy to be left for that length of time and yours should be fine.
I can't speak for that particular crossing but I have worked as Ships Police on the North Sea crossing and can confirm the kennels were soundproofed and once at sea, all the dogs settled and usually had a quiet nights crossing.
As to whether sleeping in your motorhome with the blinds closed is a good idea.....no it is not.
It is not just contrary to the terms and conditions, but is also contrary to Maritime Code as it puts the ships security and seaworthiness at risk. The watertight doors cannot be accessed from the accommodation areas of the ship, but can be opened from the decks outwards.
Once at sea, the Master (Captain) is God.....if he/she wants to make an example of you then you will be placed in the brig, and handed over to the authorities at the end of the journey and heavens knows what will happen to your pooches until you have been dealt with....this could be a slap on the wrists, a fixed penalty fine or a court appearance which could be a couple of days later depending on when you have travelled......just not worth it.
It's ultimately your call....some people are more sensitive than others about leaving their dogs.....if you'd put them in kennels at home then put them in the kennels on board, if not then Chunnel it is !

Regards, Rob.

 

[Gina M]

I’m glad I don’t have a dog…

me too

 

[Gina M]

Absolutely nothing personal but if I suspected that someone was doing this on a ferry that I was traveling on I would automatically report them to the ferry security team .

Why???

 

[PaddyM]

Please note that for safety and security it is illegal under SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 23-9, for any driver to remain in, or return to, their vehicles whilst a vessel is at sea. All drivers must vacate their vehicles once parked on-board and make their way to the driver’s accommodation area."

Because it’s illegal as in against the law .

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[Northernraider]

Please note that for safety and security it is illegal under SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 23-9, for any driver to remain in, or return to, their vehicles whilst a vessel is at sea. All drivers must vacate their vehicles once parked on-board and make their way to the driver’s accommodation area."

Because it’s illegal as in against the law .

Well that's not true is it after all nearly every ferry to scottish islands you remain in your vehicle. , The ferry i took from Italy to greece you stay in and camp on board in your vehicle.

So there are obviously exceptions

There are lots of things technically illegal we all do everyday . Well unless they are perfect.

The chances of being thrown in the brig are slim as in a motorhome with all blinds shut and an "animals on board " sticker draws absolutely no attention from the deck crew....so they have no idea you are in there.


Well unless some nosey busybody goes rattin that is..

 

[Northernraider]

As far as i'm aware the crossing is about 4.5 hours.
The dog should be absolutely fine for that length of time, just build the pup up slowly to being left alone for that length of time before the journey.
We got our pup at 9 weeks and crate trained her from the outset. By 12 weeks she was happy to be left for that length of time and yours should be fine.
I can't speak for that particular crossing but I have worked as Ships Police on the North Sea crossing and can confirm the kennels were soundproofed and once at sea, all the dogs settled and usually had a quiet nights crossing.
As to whether sleeping in your motorhome with the blinds closed is a good idea.....no it is not.
It is not just contrary to the terms and conditions, but is also contrary to Maritime Code as it puts the ships security and seaworthiness at risk. The watertight doors cannot be accessed from the accommodation areas of the ship, but can be opened from the decks outwards.
Once at sea, the Master (Captain) is God.....if he/she wants to make an example of you then you will be placed in the brig, and handed over to the authorities at the end of the journey and heavens knows what will happen to your pooches until you have been dealt with....this could be a slap on the wrists, a fixed penalty fine or a court appearance which could be a couple of days later depending on when you have travelled......just not worth it.
It's ultimately your call....some people are more sensitive than others about leaving their dogs.....if you'd put them in kennels at home then put them in the kennels on board, if not then Chunnel it is !

Regards, Rob.

If the doors cant be opened from the accomodation then how can the frew take you to visit your dog mid sailing


That and the fact there are crew on the vehicle deck the entire crossing says that's nonsense.

 

[Dart]

If the doors cant be opened from the accomodation then how can the frew take you to visit your dog mid sailing


That and the fact there are crew on the vehicle deck the entire crossing says that's nonsense.

The doors can be opened remotely from the accomodation side by ships crew. If you end up queuing near the doors waiting to return to your vehicle no amount of pressing the "Open" button has any effect until when the crew are ready you hear a loud clunk and the door opens automatically.

I think Rob's point about the watertight doors ability to be opened from inside a deck is where safety may be impacted if someone leaving the area hurriedly in an emergency either can't or doesn't bother to close the watertight doors behind them. Presumably crew working on the deck during a crossing will be trained and trusted to do this. Similarly where camping on board or remaining in vehicles on shorter crossings is allowed arrangements will be in place to cover safe evacuation.

 

[Rob1562]

If the doors cant be opened from the accomodation then how can the frew take you to visit your dog mid sailing


That and the fact there are crew on the vehicle deck the entire crossing says that's nonsense.

The doors can be opened remotely from the accomodation side by ships crew. If you end up queuing near the doors waiting to return to your vehicle no amount of pressing the "Open" button has any effect until when the crew are ready you hear a loud clunk and the door opens automatically.

I think Rob's point about the watertight doors ability to be opened from inside a deck is where safety may be impacted if someone leaving the area hurriedly in an emergency either can't or doesn't bother to close the watertight doors behind them. Presumably crew working on the deck during a crossing will be trained and trusted to do this. Similarly where camping on board or remaining in vehicles on shorter crossings is allowed arrangements will be in place to cover safe evacuation.

Exactly as Dart says.......the crew have the keys to open the doors.
As I said before i can't comment on the shorter crossings, never having worked on them, but on the north sea overnight crossings, the decks are cleared, monitored with motion detectors and CCTV and checked hourly on the fire watches carried out by other crew and Ships Police.
A very dim view is taken of people "hiding" in their vehicles as this is often an indication that they have something/someone to hide.
I'm sure many people do hide in their vehicles overnight but those who are discovered pay a heavy price often including having return tickets cancelled without refund and banned from subsequent sailings on any ships within the group....it really isn't worth the risk.

 

[Northernraider]

Exactly as Dart says.......the crew have the keys to open the doors.
As I said before i can't comment on the shorter crossings, never having worked on them, but on the north sea overnight crossings, the decks are cleared, monitored with motion detectors and CCTV and checked hourly on the fire watches carried out by other crew and Ships Police.
A very dim view is taken of people "hiding" in their vehicles as this is often an indication that they have something/someone to hide.
I'm sure many people do hide in their vehicles overnight but those who are discovered pay a heavy price often including having return tickets cancelled without refund and banned from subsequent sailings on any ships within the group....it really isn't worth the risk.

Im pretty sure on an overnight crossing you wouldn't be able to leave a dog in a vehicle that length of time alone anyway so it wouldn't really matter.

We are talking about shorter crossings of a few hours . And these motion detectors you speak of would not know the difference between a dog inside a van and a person.

If i was inside my vehicle with my dog for the entire duration no one would know i was in there. Should they knock on a door i wouldn't be answering it , so unless they stood guard outside my vehicle from the moment i drove on till the moment i drove off they would have no idea. And from personal experience the crew stayed well away from vehicles with "pets on board" stickers. Probably so they didn't set them of barking. But they were on the car decks the entire crossing as i could hear them walking around , chatting, whistling , moving chains and wheel chocks about etc etc.

So for the comfort of my dogs it is worth the risk to me.

I never have a return ticket booked either ... I dont plan that far ahead.

And if i was on an overnight ferry to spain for example id have a cabin unless it was a camping on board ferry like italy to greece
But for going to France at 1.5 - 4 hours . Then ill take my chances and stay in the van.

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[Shrimp]

I still wouldn’t leave a young puppy alone for that length of time-use the tunnel!

 

[frenchie 79]

Hi, looking for some thoghts on our new dilemma. We have just bought a new puppy (miniature Schnauzer) and picking up at end of month so good news. Bad news is we had booked to cross over to France using Poole - Cherberg BF route mid August so pup would only be 4 1/2 months old. We are thinking this may be a bit young and maybe a trauma for him, I know we can visit the deck to check on him but still... We live in Essex so were planning to meet our son in Cornwall then travel back to poole for crossing and have booked tunnel home already.

So what are seasoned dog owners thoughts, as I see it we have 3 choices

1. Carry on with booking, excercise him well before to tire him out, visit him on car deck after say 1 hour then every hour until allowed back on the car deck when coming into port.
2. We have a Flexi ticket so push it out till next year when he is older then as above.
3. Lose deposit and use Chunnel

Thanks in advance.

Be fine in crate.Get a battery radio leave that on for comfort.I wouldn’t check on him.Will upset him when you leave again.Like kids they have to work around you not you around them

 

[Rosemary1]

Hi, looking for some thoghts on our new dilemma. We have just bought a new puppy (miniature Schnauzer) and picking up at end of month so good news. Bad news is we had booked to cross over to France using Poole - Cherberg BF route mid August so pup would only be 4 1/2 months old. We are thinking this may be a bit young and maybe a trauma for him, I know we can visit the deck to check on him but still... We live in Essex so were planning to meet our son in Cornwall then travel back to poole for crossing and have booked tunnel home already.

So what are seasoned dog owners thoughts, as I see it we have 3 choices

1. Carry on with booking, excercise him well before to tire him out, visit him on car deck after say 1 hour then every hour until allowed back on the car deck when coming into port.
2. We have a Flexi ticket so push it out till next year when he is older then as above.
3. Lose deposit and use Chunnel

Thanks in advance.

I personally would not leave a dog that young on his own under those circumstances. At that age if they get a fright it could set them up from problems in the future. A lot does depend on it’s temperament but it is a big ask for such a young dog. I would move the date at the least but would probably go for the tunnel.

 

[The Wino]

Be fine in crate.Get a battery radio leave that on for comfort.I wouldn’t check on him.Will upset him when you leave again.Like kids they have to work around you not you around them

On a longish ferry crossing below decks would a battery radio actually receive anything?.

 

[Rob1562]

We are talking about shorter crossings of a few hours . And these motion detectors you speak of would not know the difference between a dog inside a van and a person.

The motion detectors do not know the difference, you are correct on that point. They would be going off all the time due to movement of the vessel in heavy seas. They detect people walking on the decks and set off alarms on the Bridge, which are investigated by crew.

I've said I don't have knowledge of the shorter crossings so I'm not prepared to comment.

I can assure all, that the ferry operators do not make up these rules about not staying in vehicles to please themselves...they are there so that the ferry operator complies with strict conditions set down by the MCA, etc which form part of there terms of business which allow them to operate...it would be much easier for the operator if we were confined to our vehicles for the duration of the crossing.

It's lovely that we live in a world where we can take personal choices that carry small consequences for us but may have major consequences for others...until we get caught and identified and feel the true cost of our actions.

To the OP, I'm sorry the thread has got slightly sidelined......my personal experience is that many people bring very young dogs back from the continent on the 12 hour overnight crossing, kennelling them without any apparent undue consequences. If dogs were being traumatised by their experiences on board then the animal charities would be up in arms. If you can leave your pup in a crate inside your van then I'm sure it will be fine, but it's only a decision you can make.

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[John Barrett]

Snip

To the OP, I'm sorry the thread has got slightly sidelined......my personal experience is that many people bring very young dogs back from the continent on the 12 hour overnight crossing, kennelling them without any apparent undue consequences. If dogs were being traumatised by their experiences on board then the animal charities would be up in arms. If you can leave your pup in a crate inside your van then I'm sure it will be fine, but it's only a decision you can make.

Agreed. We have used every combination of pet accomodation without problems. There's a school of thought that suggests that anxious owners create anxious dogs...

 

[busby]

What's a crate and what are they for?BUSBY.

 

[The Wino]

What's a crate and what are they for?BUSBY.

It's a nice way to say cage. Some dogs actually like them because it becomes their territory and they feel comfortable there.

 

[Rob1562]

It's a nice way to say cage. Some dogs actually like them because it becomes their territory and they feel comfortable there.

We used a crate for our pup.....first night at home she slept in the crate in our bedroom then slowly over the next few nights moved it out onto the landing then downstairs. She's happy as can be in the crate, it's her bed/cave.
We now use it in the van and she travels for hours secure in the crate.

 

[Rob1562]

Agreed. We have used every combination of pet accomodation without problems. There's a school of thought that suggests that anxious owners create anxious dogs...

This^^

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