Occasionally, a seal pup will flop up onto a passing paddle board or kayak to grab a snooze. Seal Sitters MMSN would like to remind people that the best thing to do if you find yourself in this situation is enjoy the moment - and, if you have time, let the pup rest. Do not leave the area with a pup on board. When you’d like to move on, give him or her a gentle nudge with your paddle to encourage a return to the water.

Last year, Seal Sitters’ hotline received a call from a kayaker near Elliott Bay’s Jack Block Park. Jeff Kelley reported that a seal pup had hopped onto the back of his craft and seemed content to rest there indefinitely. After 45 minutes, Jeff and his son needed to continue on their way and he wasn’t quite sure what to do. Our responder met him at the park’s shoreline but, even with nudging of the paddle, this snoozy pup had no intent of disembarking his fine haul out. Jeff began rocking the kayak back and forth and the hitchhiker reluctantly slid off and swam away.

Jeff did everything right. The pup, nicknamed Sealy Dan, got a much-needed respite from the cold waters and was not taken far away from his or her territory. And Jeff and his son, visiting from the East Coast, got a wonderful story to cherish.

If you’d like a copy of our “boater guidelines for marine mammals” poster for your kayak or paddleboard club or to post at your marina, please email us.

Tags: Sealy Dan, boater guidelines