How common are rats on ships nowadays?

Question

I know they were common in the past, and that they can survive in most places, so are they still common on ships?

Answer 1

on rubbish ships... alot

lol

i dont think its common on normal ships though

:)

Answer 2

Ive worked on oil tankers for the last 14 yrs. and have never seen a rat on a British ship.depending on which country that you are in normally you would put up rat guards on the mooring lines to stop the rats getting on board.

Answer 3

houses of parliament are sinking and there are plenty of rats on that particular ship !!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

I would imagine so. They say you are never more than six feet from a rat. I was feeding swans bread in our local park today and a big rat jumped from the river and grabbed a bit and jumped back in. It was nearly as big as my little mutt and scared the s**t out of us.

Answer 5

I take you are referring to a local report about 'concerns' over rodents getting ashore from the Fleetwood registered 'MFV Spinningdale' that went aground near St.Kilda out in the Atlantic and that they would devastate the bird population.

Rats are not very common ships nowadays , being a fishing vessel , and carrying human foodstuffs (ie fish) , it wouldn't be allowed to sail in the first place.

I really like the attitude of the environmentalists on this one (NOT!) , never mind the health and safety at sea of the poor crew , struggling with their ship and looking at death everytime they go out. Very shellfish , (sorry , selfish indeed)

Answer 6

I don't know wasn't it always a good sign if rats were on board.

Answer 7

'Ello sniffadog.

I've no idea really.

But there seems to be an awful lot of incidents of mass food poisoning on luxury cruise liners and the like.

(Is that the same thing as a ship? )

So I wouldn't be surprised. There must be some really dark horrible places on ships when you think about it. Of the kind where nobody goes if they can help it. Ideal territory for rats. HUGE ones.

'Av u seen Ratatouille though?

Did it change your perspective on rats??

Edit: We've met once or twice before quietNiceOnthewagonOnthewagonagainOnthes... My Friend.

I've probably missed a few.

Your avatar really stands out. I think that's why I always notice the name that goes with it.

Answer 8

extensive health and safety and the incredible reputation and legal hit a ship operator would have to deal with if they were found to have rats on board is probably enough for ship operators to check for such animals.

They have to check and clean the whole ship for things like suspicious packages, stowaways and to prevent the spread of infection (on long cruises).

Answer 9

It depends on the cargo, as billy mac just told you oil tankers, no way nothing there for them but if it was a grain tanker etc, now it would be a different story I bet.

Answer 10

they used to get aboard by running up the anchor chain,but they have put something to block their path,how effective this is ,I don't know.but as some one said in London they are only feet away from,I used to drive trains,and many a time came within inch's of them,all the more so,now that the streets are full of litter.

Answer 11

they usually work in the kitchen and are fillipino in origin!!!

Answer 12

Well, they are common, but with assigned seating at dinner it is not really a problem.

Answer 13

I never saw any on the aircraft carrier I was on. (4 years)