Always on
This project successfully funded on 4th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
BoatVet
Milford Haven, United Kingdom
Aim
To reach and help as many animals as possible through free vet care, support, collaboration, and global awareness via BoatVet
Hi, I’m Charlotte, and I’m a Veterinary Surgeon. My husband, Lloyd Hamilton, and I are the co‑founders of BoatVet.
About Us
From a young age I became an avid follower of my hero, Jane Goodall, it was encouraging and inspiring to read of how much emphasis she put on animals emotions, welfare and how important it is that we fight for them. Dr Jane’s hope and passion was infectious, and it gave me the drive to keep trying to make a difference. I began fundraising and charity work while at university through the Bristol University Roots and Shoots group. I always wanted to use my qualifications for charity work, but life got in the way—until I met Lloyd.
Lloyd was awarded an MBE for co‑founding and running Toe in the Water, a sailing charity created to re‑inspire, re‑engage, and reintegrate injured servicemen and women through competitive sailing. His humour, compassion, and enthusiasm are infectious, and the idea for BoatVet was born not long after we met.
Keen to actually do something, in 2022 I spent three weeks volunteering in Sri Lanka with WeCare Worldwide, treating street dogs. It reignited the realisation of why I had spent all those years studying, and my yearning to do more. I love my job, my clients, and their pets—but the reality is that many animals live without even basic care or preventative medicine. Being a vet and seeing the difference you can make to those animals, and to the people who love them, is incredible.
Both Lloyd and I share a deep passion for helping others. We want to live an eco‑friendly lifestyle while using our sailboat to reach the communities that need help most. Our boat gives us a home as we travel and the ability to access isolated areas.
Our Aims
Our first aim is to set out into the Mediterranean. We plan to work with existing organisations and local vets, supporting their efforts and helping with fundraising in any way we can. If all goes well, we hope to cross the Atlantic and eventually the Pacific to reach more remote islands—many of which have no access to veterinary care at all.
“Why not help people?”
We will be. Animal and human health are intricately linked. By vaccinating, neutering, and caring for animals, we are indirectly helping the people who live with and around them. And beyond veterinary work, we’re both more than happy to help practically in any way we can.
The Boat
After years of saving and planning, our real journey began in March 2025 when we found our boat. Ocean Spirit is a 41 foot sailing yacht. She’s taken a year to get her ready, and we’ve got a few more months to finish works on her. Once we set sail she will need continual maintenance to keep her ocean worthy and that’s likely to keep us busy, but we think it’ll be worth it.
We don’t have an end date. It won’t be easy. But you only live once, and we want to explore this amazing planet while having as big a positive impact as possible.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made