Twice this year I have witnessed marine emergency situations where there was a dog on board with no lifejacket and quite surprised the dog survived.

First one was a complete capsize just past Otter Point - a very large man in a 12ft aluminum in rough weather, with an old Jack Russell. With the dog sitting on the hull, wet and shaking, and the man in the water holding on for dear life since he couldn't pull himself up.

Second was a boat taking on water near the Otter Point resort, to the point that the small lab puppy was pretty much swimming while locked in his crate. Again, rough weather swamped the small boat with 3 large men in it and they had to land it quickly, and sit there for 6 hours with a cold wet dog.

It pains me to see animals in distress, and wondered how many of you take extra precautions when your pets are on the water with you.

From my user name, it would indicate that I have/raise/train Labs, the pup should have been out of it's crate and on leash when this happened. By design, the Labs have an inner coat of fleece like hair, the pup was never in danger of Hypothermia,
only the fellows with it.
My dogs regularly hunt in -* temp. out here, When it gets too cold, I put a vest on them ( -5* or so). A dog in a vest will quickly over-heat unless it is in the water, so I don't see where a vest would have been an advantage to the pup. I bet if the owner had of tossed the Lab off the boat, it would have beat them to shore!

Definitely second Labman's answer. I raised Spaniels for many years and dogs (generally) are far better fitted to survive these situations than we are. Just give them a fair chance and ensure that they are free of restraints. Who knows, the larger breeds may even be able to assist you.

I have a lifejacket for my dog - he's a Great Dane and they don't swim or even like the water - there are some exceptions but mine hates the water - likes going on the boat though.