Skipper, our ship’s dog, joined RV Whale Song as a puppy at 12 weeks of age. He soon learned to feel the seas motion and also to relish the wonderful seabirds and marine animals encountered on our research voyages. Aboard RV Whale Song, our current vessel, Skipper quickly learned that the fairleads, hull openings where the ships lines are positioned for securing to the dock, were the perfect height for him to perch his front paws and head outstretched barking at dolphins riding beneath the bow. The ships freeing ports, or skuppers are large rectangular cut-outs for literally allowing deck cast water to flow off the decks. Skipper of the Skupper as named, soon learned these were also perfect places to gaze at passing objects including seabirds, dolphins and whales!
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- Forever interested in bow-riding dolphins, Skipper barks incessantly but it is always well received by our guests on the bow! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Sunset viewing from the aft deck. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Viewing from the Portuguese bridge deck – a daily event. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Boat yard adventures in Port Lincoln during RV Whale Song’s haul out. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Skipper and I on deck, desperately looking for cetaceans in the gulf. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Approaching Cape Vancouver, near Albany on Australia’s South coast. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- On the south coast of Australia in early morning fog. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- “What is over there?” Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Skipper always found a nice sunny spot to rest, early on we called him Skipper Sundog! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Fairleads were always fabulous for checking the harbour conditions! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Skipper was looking and looking, he is desperate to find some dolphins! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Meet Skipper and his alter ego! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Leaving Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, Curt is at the helm with Skipper supervising! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- At sea in a favorite position on a bow deck box. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- racing back from the bow, Skipper is breathless after barking like crazy at some common dolphins. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Traversing the delicious blue water tropical waters. Skipper is in heaven looking for any interested dolphins! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Skipper supervising the deployment of the vertical tow net. Photo: I. Ford
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- Curt and Skipper are farewelled from the southern entrance wall by Tasmin, Micah and Sacha-belle. Skipper was most confused seeing and hearing them there! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- During trips in and out of Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin. Skipper taking the wheel with Sam onboard ‘Orca’. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Skipper is Happy! Right back at it the fairlead his favourite spot! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Barking up a Storm. Responding to my camera, Skipper barks at the rocks? Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Fremantle to Darwin. Skipper makes friends. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Skipper of the Skupper on his freshly painted non-skid rubbing strake, keeping him safe at sea! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- another afternoon spent on the Portuguese bridge deck box. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Skipper in a whale sandwich! an orca on the top and humpback on the bottom! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Tasmin and skipper tour the Kimberley. One beautiful island at a time. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Skipper’s Cooks Tour of the Kimberley. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Breathless in the fairlead! Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- The rubbing strake kept Skipper safe despite his intense interest of our seafaring visitors. Photo: M. Jenner AM
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- Keeping warm and on duty! Photo: M. Jenner AM
In loving memory of RV Whale Song’s dog, Skipper of the Skuppers!