Challenge: River Otter Living in the Cockpit

[Solitude]

Hello

I went down to my marina here in Vancouver, to check up on things and found quite a mess in the cockpit. Shells, crabs, poo/urin etc….. I have my sailboat draped in a tarp for the winter which encloses the cockpit and keeps things a little dryer as it rains a lot here. I cleaned up the cockpit from the animal and spoke to a few people at the marine education center at the marina. They explained that it was a river otter!

Now living in BC, I like wild animals but don’t want this mess on my boat. How can I get rid of it? I was told they like to keep the same den and it would be back and I would never see it on the boat. Any ideas on how to keep it off? I will be removing the tarps soon but until then? Are they destructive? chewing up lines etc. Luckily I have kept the cabin sealed up.

I'm not looking to poison it or hurt it just deter it

Solitude

[Dave the Canuck]

I have heard that the use of Cayenne pepper can be effective in deterring critter visits.

Good luck. Sounds like not a lot of fun.

[cdennyb]

take the cover off. Let it rain! He'll go somewhere else where it's drier, maybe one of your neighbors boats. LoL

[twisty]

Originally Posted by Solitude

Hello

I went down to my marina here in Vancouver, to check up on things and found quite a mess in the cockpit. Shells, crabs, poo/urin etc….. I have my sailboat draped in a tarp for the winter which encloses the cockpit and keeps things a little dryer as it rains a lot here. I cleaned up the cockpit from the animal and spoke to a few people at the marine education center at the marina. They explained that it was a river otter!

Now living in BC, I like wild animals but don’t want this mess on my boat. How can I get rid of it? I was told they like to keep the same den and it would be back and I would never see it on the boat. Any ideas on how to keep it off? I will be removing the tarps soon but until then? Are they destructive? chewing up lines etc. Luckily I have kept the cabin sealed up.

I'm not looking to poison it or hurt it just deter it

Solitude

It has become accustomed to living where he shouldn't. I would contact a marine biologist or some government agency that deals in wildlife. For some reason my cloudy head is telling me they are like bears when they become accustomed to human surroundings they don't want to leave. But don't quote me on that. Oh plus they may be a protected species.

[slomotion]

Dunno - but it could be worse:

[peterroach]

Find a friend with a big black lab. You and the lab spend a couple of nights on the boat - you inside and the black lab in the cockpit. Do this for 3 days over a week period and your new friend will find a less hostel environment.

[Dutch]

Try posting an eviction notice? LOL
Dutch

[GeoPowers]

I'll throw out a second on cayenne pepper, but you've got to do it right. Google it, or organic pest control. Both are non-pollutant and deter rather than harm animals. Won't mess up your cockpit either.

[David M]

You have to be real careful not to break any laws. People are real sensitive to cute and furry aquatic mammals. The first idea that comes to mind that does not involve chemicals, pets with large teeth or finding out if they taste like chicken, is to put a child net around your boat. Some of that cheap plastic netting could be put up to keep the little bugger out.

[Tempest245]

Are you in the water? on land? how is it gaining access?

[markpj23]

We want pictures!

[BadFish]

If ya got a dog or a friend with a dog, as peterroach said, spend a good day or so aboard with the mutt. Otter should be deterred by the dog's scent.

Cheers

Bill

[Evan]

Mothballs. In Canada the laws protecting marine mammals are nowhere as stupid as California where you're not allowed to "disturb" the sea lions as they sink your boat.

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by Evan

Mothballs. In Canada the laws protecting marine mammals are nowhere as stupid as California where you're not allowed to "disturb" the sea lions as they sink your boat.

Please post your evidence, and/or cite the source(s), supporting your statement (quoted above.) Assuming you have thoroughly researched the on-point legal and scientific literature prior to posting, I would be very interested to read your referenced citations to both Canadian and California laws, as well as any peer-reviewed scientific studies that led you to your conclusion.

Absent the above, your statement is little more than a gratuitous insult with no basis in fact and adds nothing to this thread.

TaoJones

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Evan

Mothballs. In Canada the laws protecting marine mammals are nowhere as stupid as California where you're not allowed to "disturb" the sea lions as they sink your boat.

I would like to argue that Evan but can't. I've seen Pier 39 in S.F, Moss Landing and Monterey. The Sea Lions are very well protected as the will board and crap all over your boat.
I visited Pier 39 last year and could never see what the attraction was. It was way expensive, stinky Sea Lions everywhere, tons of cotton candy tourist and very rolly on top of anything. I probably was able to get 6 hours sleep there in 48 hours!