It’s a dog’s life

By Cristina McGlew

From left to right: Third Mate Vern Huelett with the little dog; Bosun Tom Minton holding the big dog; Able Seaman Robert “Mango” Hikley Jr; and Second Engineer Timonthy Nagle bonding with their new crewmembers aboard MV Spec. 5 Eric G. Gibson.

As seafaring tradition warrants, mariners help other mariners in need, even if those in need are the furry, four-legged kind. The crew of Military Sealift Command prepositioning ship MV Spec. 5 Eric G. Gibson took on two castaways July 6 while en route to Guam. Since then, the master and crew have become quite attached to their furry friends.

Gibson was steaming through the Caribbean when she received a request at 1:20 p.m. from a U.S. Customs plane to check out an adrift sailboat. About three hours later, Gibson pulled up right alongside the stranded boat and grappled her to Gibson's port side.

Chief Mate Timothy L. English and Able Seaman John T. Williams went aboard in search of passengers.

"The cabin was cluttered and unkempt with some water in the bilges," said Capt. Yngvar A. Krantz III, master of Gibson.

English and Williams found two dogs aboard the sailboat with no sign of the owner.

"They almost did not find the little dog," said Capt. Krantz. "She was hiding under the cockpit seating and barely visible unless you looked very carefully. If we had not sent English and Williams over, the second dog would not have been found."

Both dogs were brought aboard Gibson and were immediately adopted by the crew. The dogs are kept in the wheelhouse on the bridge deck where there is a mate on watch 24 hours a day.

"The whole crew has gone to some lengths to save and care for the dogs," said Capt. Krantz. "We have debated on many names, but refer mostly to the big dog and the little dog. The big dog is rather thin and lethargic — she seemed close to shock. The little dog is definitely the ‘alpha' dog. She has shown little if any ill effects of her ordeal."

Gibson's crew eventually learned what happened to the dog's owner. He had been sailing from Curaçao to Venezuela when he lost his main engine and sail. He and his dogs were adrift for 21 days with little food and water.

"Evidently, the owner had been rescued from the boat the day before," said Capt. Krantz. "Once we determined there were dogs on board, there is no way we would not have made every effort to save them."

The owner of the dogs, a French citizen, was eventually contacted. At first he did not express interest in being reunited with his four-legged companions, but eventually contacted the French Consulate to see what could be done.

In the meantime, the castaways aboard Gibson continue to grow in popularity with the crew as the dogs' personalities emerge.

"Third Mate Vern Huelett has been designated the official dog feeder," said Capt. Krantz. "Everyone was feeding them and the food was too rich.

"The little dog is a Dachshund mix and is a little on the excitable side," continued Capt. Krantz. "When she gets excited she wags her whole stern section and jumps up and down. The bigger dog is very subdued. To get up and wag her tail is about all the emotion she exhibits. She does however, like attention and affection. She is just not demonstrative about it.

"The dogs have gotten to know all of the deck department and the chief engineer. They have their favorite people as well," added Capt. Krantz.

Once Gibson reaches Guam, the dogs' journey aboard may come to an end. Everyone is working together to make it a smooth transition. In order to be shipped back to the United States, the dogs have to be given certificates of health. The Army Vet Service in Guam suggested an Air Force quarantine facility in Guam that may be able to house the dogs for a few days and perhaps provide the certificates of health.

"The cost for shipping both dogs including the kennels and a stop over in Hawaii overnight in a kennel is about $800," said Chris Nette, the director of operations for Osprey Ship Management, Inc. "We are already starting a fund in the office. The next problem is to find a home for the dogs when they get there."

Until then, Gibson's crew will continue to enjoy their new crewmembers.

"It would be nice if we could learn their names," said Capt. Krantz. "Naturally, a good home for the dogs would be ideal, but the dogs are doing well so far, and we will have to see what happens as time progresses."