Hardwired for the High Seas: The Neuroscience of Nautical Cats

Cats have been valuable crew members on military and trade ships throughout history. While their rodent hunting efficiency protected cargo and prevented disease, they were also highly valued for lesser acknowledged traits like morale improvement.

Blackie was the ships cat of the HMS Prince of Wales, here on the deck with Sir Winston Churchill, August 1941

The royal navy banned whiskered crew mates on all their vessels in 1975. Yet modern trends of adventure cats such as Phoenix, the boat cat of Oliver Widger (of social media fame) who quit his job to sail to Hawaii, speak to our continued fascination with bringing our furry friends along on our adventures. The unique set of qualities that make our feline companions so well suited to a life afloat, I argue, can be explained by neuroscience!

 In the June/July edition of SAIL magazine, I dip our toe-beans into the neuroscience behind the nautical proficiency of an able sea-cat first class! And of course, there are special guest appearances by none other than the real Captain Marco!

The Purrfect Shipmate, SAIL Magazine (June/July 2025)

So, consider joining our friends at SAIL magazine and discover why whiskered adventurers have long been trusted companions at sea! You can read the full article here.