Firstmate Controls

Despite the freezing temperature, it's time to look forward to the spring and get ready for the boating season. Part of the fun of boating on the Lake is having our best friends with you, including the four-legged ones! Boating with a pet can be dangerous sometimes, but a well-trained dog can actually be a great addition to your day out on the water.  Firstmate Controls knows you want to include your buddy in all of your outdoor fun activities this summer, so we've come up with some helpful tips to follow when taking your dog on a boat. Check out our best tips below! Stay Safe with a Plan It's important to have a plan in case something goes awry and your fur-baby falls overboard. Don't leave it to chance. Talk to everyone going out on the water with you so everyone is on the same page with what to do just in case. Just like someone may be the designated driver or have the responsibility of watching the young children on board, it is a good idea to designate so...

Your pets are part of your family, so naturally, you want to include them in all your family activities.  One summer activity you may be hesitant to involve your dog in is going out on the boat.  While many dogs are typically natural swimmers, the question still stands as to whether they'd do well on the water or not.  Firstmate Controls knows you want to include your furry buddy in all of your outdoor fun activities this summer, so we've come up with some helpful tips to follow when taking your dog on a boat.  Check out the tips below! BEFORE BOARDING: Check Local Laws At this time, there are no national legal restrictions or requirements pertaining to having your furry friends aboard your boat, we recommend that you double-check local laws, since regulations can vary by state. Develop a Safety Plan Before leaving on your first doggy-boating adventure, we recommend that you develop a safety plan in case your dog was to go overboard.  Talk to all of t...