Meet Bailey, the Cat Who Loves to Sail
Updated: Mar. 16, 2022This meezer may be only three years old, but inside he's an old salt who appreciates the many joys of a life spent at sea.
Sporty in a Lifejacket
Bailey Blue, a seal-point Siamese, was adopted by writer Louise Kennedy in 2012 when he was just 10 months old. Kennedy was living on a boat part-time, and gradually introduced her new kitten to the ocean. They now live full-time on the boat Nocturne, docking outside Rome when not at sea. Bailey owns three lifejackets, and wears one primarily when sailing or in the dinghy (shown here) exploring islands, bays, and caves. Fortunately, Bailey has never sprung a leak with his claws.
Going for a Swim
Bailey has fallen into the water twice—once when it was dark and once when he was sleeping on the deck and rolled off. But he’s also gone for a swim on his own. One beautiful day, when anchored near Ponza, he leapt off the boat and did a few laps, much to the astonishment of his humans. Just in case the urge ever strikes again, they always keep a rope for Bailey to climb back on board.
Just Warming Up
The Nocturne has a wind turbine and solar panels to generate energy. Not only are the panels environmentally friendly, they’re a cozy place to nap.
Cat Toys in Nature
For a boat cat, every day brings a different aquatic plaything: a starfish, a crab, seaweed, a flying fish….
Bailey the Book
All of these photos are from the new book, Bailey the Boat Cat, which were originally posted on the blog baileyboatcat.com that Kennedy keeps about their adventures.
