Boaters may come upon raccoons who have sheltered aboard during colder months or found a space to give birth hidden from predators.

The eyes that stare back at you from the boat may belong to a loner who’ll flee once you throw open the covers, but it may also be a mother with babies. Odds are great that she’ll act aggressively to protect her cubs.

To avoid a calamity for anyone, leave your boat uncovered and unattended for one night — tell marina security so they won’t do you a favor and trap the critter(s) in again.

If the boat isn’t vacant the next day, or you’re otherwise unsure of the situation, don’t call police, pest control, or animal control. Instead, please contact a wildlife rescue organization, such as one of the following:

https://www.savetheanimalsrescue.org/

https://quoguewildliferefuge.org/

Once the raccoons have exited your vessel, thoroughly clean and disinfect. Animal droppings may carry disease. (This advice applies to any other wild creatures that may decide to live rent-free in your boat.