GreenValleyDogWalker Posted March 4, 2020 #1 Share Posted March 4, 2020 On the Oosterdam, currently in Puerto Vallarta..hubby noticed that all of the lines (anchor lines, etc.) Have those metal rat guards on them. We have been on 40-some cruises, never seen them before on a cruise ship. (He recognized from long ago US Navy days). He spoke to both the concierge and room steward about them. Concierge pretended not to understand, room steward knew right away what he was asking about...yup rat problems on the "lower " decks of the ship in recent weeks ! No Corona virus aboard, just rats! EEEk ! Link to post Share on other sites
towhee Posted March 4, 2020 #2 Share Posted March 4, 2020 We've been cruising since 1990 and it is NOT unusual to see rat guards on the dock lines. 7 Link to post Share on other sites
rkacruiser Posted March 4, 2020 #3 Share Posted March 4, 2020 Do not be concerned. This is a standard practice when the ship's lines are put ashore. What you saw means nothing untoward. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
Lido deck main Posted March 4, 2020 #4 Share Posted March 4, 2020 12 minutes ago, GreenValleyDogWalker said: On the Oosterdam, currently in Puerto Vallarta..hubby noticed that all of the lines (anchor lines, etc.) Have those metal rat guards on them. We have been on 40-some cruises, never seen them before on a cruise ship. (He recognized from long ago US Navy days). He spoke to both the concierge and room steward about them. Concierge pretended not to understand, room steward knew right away what he was asking about...yup rat problems on the "lower " decks of the ship in recent weeks ! No Corona virus aboard, just rats! EEEk ! We have seen those guards on the lines quite often. Link to post Share on other sites
Mary229 Posted March 4, 2020 #5 Share Posted March 4, 2020 Rat traps and rat guards are common on any commercial property. Be glad they are proactive 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Shmoo here Posted March 4, 2020 #6 Share Posted March 4, 2020 6 minutes ago, towhee said: We've been cruising since 1990 and it is NOT unusual to see rat guards on the dock lines. Yep, same here. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
kristapb Posted March 4, 2020 #7 Share Posted March 4, 2020 We've seen them frequently on cruise ships when docked. Often enjoy the colorful and whimsical images painted on them. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
CATandSQUID Posted March 4, 2020 #8 Share Posted March 4, 2020 If you are on a ship in a port and they don't have rat guards on, then I would worry! 8 Link to post Share on other sites
ShipsAreTheBest Posted March 4, 2020 #9 Share Posted March 4, 2020 In many ports, rat guards are required by the local authorities- not unusual to see them. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
3rdGenCunarder Posted March 4, 2020 #10 Share Posted March 4, 2020 38 minutes ago, kristapb said: We've seen them frequently on cruise ships when docked. Often enjoy the colorful and whimsical images painted on them. I love it when there are cat faces on them. 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Aquahound Posted March 4, 2020 #11 Share Posted March 4, 2020 1 hour ago, GreenValleyDogWalker said: On the Oosterdam, currently in Puerto Vallarta..hubby noticed that all of the lines (anchor lines, etc.) Have those metal rat guards on them. We have been on 40-some cruises, never seen them before on a cruise ship. (He recognized from long ago US Navy days). I'm really surprised this is the first time you've seen them. It's very common for cruise ships to use rat guards. Like the last post, I also like the ones painted like cats. 9 Link to post Share on other sites
sail7seas Posted March 4, 2020 #12 Share Posted March 4, 2020 1 hour ago, Shmoo here said: Yep, same here. Ditto, I'd much prefer they use the guards than not. Hopefully they successfully serve their intended purpose. I have seen them on the lines time and time again on various ships 1 Link to post Share on other sites
MAVIP Posted March 4, 2020 #13 Share Posted March 4, 2020 7 hours ago, GreenValleyDogWalker said: On the Oosterdam, currently in Puerto Vallarta..hubby noticed that all of the lines (anchor lines, etc.) Have those metal rat guards on them. We have been on 40-some cruises, never seen them before on a cruise ship. (He recognized from long ago US Navy days). Never saw a HAL ship without those guards. Always thought they were for both rats and mice. I hope you just didnot notice them before or quality of ship and port authorities is a big ? Link to post Share on other sites
Krazy Kruizers Posted March 4, 2020 #14 Share Posted March 4, 2020 We have seen them quite a few times. Just be thankful that the cruise lines are being pro-active and protecting their ships. Link to post Share on other sites
Donald Posted March 4, 2020 #15 Share Posted March 4, 2020 9 hours ago, GreenValleyDogWalker said: On the Oosterdam, currently in Puerto Vallarta..hubby noticed that all of the lines (anchor lines, etc.) Have those metal rat guards on them. We have been on 40-some cruises, never seen them before on a cruise ship. (He recognized from long ago US Navy days). He spoke to both the concierge and room steward about them. Concierge pretended not to understand, room steward knew right away what he was asking about...yup rat problems on the "lower " decks of the ship in recent weeks ! No Corona virus aboard, just rats! EEEk ! Somebody is not paying attention on their cruise. I have managed 29 ships over the past 40 years; that comes to over 1,400 cruises. I do not remember EVER calling at a port where we did not have rat guards on the mooring lines. Most ports require it. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
GreenValleyDogWalker Posted March 4, 2020 Author #16 Share Posted March 4, 2020 4 hours ago, Donald said: Somebody is not paying attention on their cruise. I have managed 29 ships over the past 40 years; that comes to over 1,400 cruises. I do not remember EVER calling at a port where we did not have rat guards on the mooring lines. Most ports require it. 4 hours ago, Donald said: Somebody is not paying attention on their cruise. I have managed 29 ships over the past 40 years; that comes to over 1,400 cruises. I do not remember EVER calling at a port where we did not have rat guards on the mooring lines. Most ports require it. Parked next to the NCL Joy now...in Matzalan They dont have anything on the mooring lines. Sure glad our ship does! 4 hours ago, Donald said: Somebody is not paying attention on their cruise. I have managed 29 ships over the past 40 years; that comes to over 1,400 cruises. I do not remember EVER calling at a port where we did not have rat guards on the mooring lines. Most ports require it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
kwb101 Posted March 4, 2020 #17 Share Posted March 4, 2020 (edited) Rat guards have been used for hundreds of years, nothing new here. I expect you'll see them on sailing apps in museums. https://www.technology.org/2018/08/28/what-are-those-disks-sometimes-seen-on-mooring-lines-of-big-ships/ There are even technical specifications, so they're not just something cobbled up by a ship's owners. https://www.astm.org/Standards/F1099M.htm Edited March 4, 2020 by kwb101 Fix links 2 Link to post Share on other sites
sail7seas Posted March 4, 2020 #18 Share Posted March 4, 2020 (edited) Do you really want to spend your vacation busily checking for rat guards on your ship and other ships in port with you? :eeks: Mexico has some well crafted silver jewelry. If you want to check out silver colored items on shore, how about a nice bracelet? 🙂 Edited March 4, 2020 by sail7seas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
GreenValleyDogWalker Posted March 4, 2020 Author #19 Share Posted March 4, 2020 Not concerned about the guards...just an interesting observation... First time on HAL... Checked again on ship docked next to us (NCL)... no guards in place (Visable ones, anyway) 😊 Link to post Share on other sites
MAVIP Posted March 4, 2020 #20 Share Posted March 4, 2020 3 hours ago, GreenValleyDogWalker said: Not concerned about the guards...just an interesting observation... First time on HAL... Checked again on ship docked next to us (NCL)... no guards in place (Visable ones, anyway) 😊 So we must be glad to sail HAL 🙂 Link to post Share on other sites
drowelf Posted March 4, 2020 #22 Share Posted March 4, 2020 19 hours ago, towhee said: We've been cruising since 1990 and it is NOT unusual to see rat guards on the dock lines. Ditto on that. Sometimes when we disembark right after clearance they are not in place, but are when we come back in the afternoon. Link to post Share on other sites
drowelf Posted March 4, 2020 #23 Share Posted March 4, 2020 6 minutes ago, HamOp said: Never seen any that fancy. Generally just a big metal sheet. Link to post Share on other sites
HamOp Posted March 4, 2020 #24 Share Posted March 4, 2020 11 minutes ago, HamOp said: I've always wondered what that noose like line is dropping from the port side. Anyone know?? Link to post Share on other sites
billbunger Posted March 5, 2020 #25 Share Posted March 5, 2020 The noose is used to keel haul bad passengers and crew. They had been using the traditional plank to take a short walk, but the environmentalists complained on social media that some one killed a tree to get the plank. Due to the relentless efforts of the social media crowd, HAL capitulated. They now use hemp rope that is made from recycled legal Canadian cannabis plants. 6 Link to post Share on other sites
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