A question for any serving or recently retired Naval veterans?

Question

Hello! I want to join the Royal Navy and went on a visit recently to HMS ________ for a look around.

I got talking to a CPO and, on a whim, asked him why it was that RN ships did not have cats anymore.

His reply was, 'It's because of hygiene- but the no-cat rule? That's one of those silly things nobody actually listens to! There isn't one on HMS ________, but I can name at least two RN ships that have cats on board, unofficially,'

Is there any truth to this? Could there be? Feel free to answer if you're in a foreign Navy too!

Answer 1

I have never heard of a cat being on board but I do know of one captain that took his dog with him on deployment.  

Answer 2

'Jolly Jack' is law unto himself.

If the 'Old man' of a ship doesn't object then sod the civil servants!!!!!

Answer 3

During my 24 years in the RN I never saw a cat on a ship, not once, maybe there were cats on ships but I don't think so.

Answer 4

After 22 yrs in the Andrew Inever saw a cat on board.