Cats have been sailing on boats for centuries. Back in the days of yore, ships’ cats served as handy mousers, and they were also revered as good luck charms. While mousing and good luck are certainly still welcome aboard today’s vessels, modern sailors have also come to enjoy the kitty camaraderie of their cat commodores.

If you’re a captain considering a feline first mate, there are a few things to know and some precautions to observe in order to run a tight ship. As with any adventure on land or sea, safety should always come first.