Sea sickness is a real issue that requires preparation.

Hurricanes and sharks scare everyone but they are really not problems in our part of the Caribbean. Sea sickness is a real issue that requires definite preparation mentally, spiritually and medically. Sea sickness can be a real vacation buster if it gets out of control. So I am going to put some extensive effort into this issue in hopes of evading and preventing any problems. So if you are sure you will not have a problem, you should skip this long winded discussion.

Sea sickness is a natural occurrence for everyone. In other words everyone will get sea sick if they are subject to severe enough conditions. For me it is being upside-down in the engine room smelling diesel fumes while the boat rocks violently in heavy seas. However, I am prepared. I am prepared because I know the feeling and what to expect. I am prepared because I know how to minimize the discomfort. I am prepared because I accept the discomfort as natural and normal and well worth all the good times I have had. I am prepared because I have onboard every possible medical treatment that I know about.

Sea sickness is caused when you are inside a visual frame of reference where the entire frame of reference moves. In this case your visual senses tell your mind that you are not moving but the "G" forces on your body say that you are moving. This contradiction upsets your mind causing a discomfort usually referred to as vertigo or dizziness. Everyone senses this discomfort. Some people are more sensitized to this particular discomfort than others. Most everyone with experience and the right medication will be able to tolerate this discomfort without getting sick but they must be prepared. To be prepared you must know what to expect. So I will try to describe two different extreme situations.

First, at anchor in a protected area, the boat will still move in a slight rolling motion with the swell. In addition the boat will "oscillate" in a slow motion from port to starboard and back again at intervals of several minutes. If the wind shifts a lot the rolling could be quite noticeable. We could reposition ourselves in the morning but it is usually unsafe to do so at night. There will be sounds as well, water slapping the hull, the boat creaking and other sounds that you do not recognize at first. Do not get alarmed the crew will take care if action is needed. The idea I plant in my mind is: "that God is rocking me to sleep the way a mother rocks her child" . So just relax and let the boat rock, roll and do the things that boats do. Your tension can only aggravate the situation. It would be smart to have a sleep aid available just in case.

While sailing, the boat will naturally heel (tilt away from the wind) at about 30 to 35 degrees from the vertical. This is how she gets her power. The more wind, the more heel, the faster she goes. Usually you will be more comfortable on the high side. Position yourself so you can keep from sliding. Relax as much as possible. Try not to "fight" or resist the motion. Let yourself rock and roll with the boat

In open waters the boat will roll with the swell.  Here are some ideas to minimize the discomfort. Look out at the horizon. It is the only thing that is not moving up and down. It will help stabilize you. Avoid just sitting there watching the boat or the ocean go up and down. Ask if you can take the wheel for a while. Usually, as soon as you take the wheel you start concentrating on other things and the discomfort goes away. Try closing your eyes (not at the wheel), you will still feel the up and down "G" forces but you will probably feel the vertigo diminish. Do not go below or try to read, these only amplify the discomfort. If you have to go below, close your eyes! The cabin is confined so it is easy to feel your way around. Open your eyes just enough to see where you are for a moment.

Bring meds with you even if you think you do not need them. If you think you need them take them well in advance so you get familiar with any side effects they might have for you before you are on the boat. Here are some suggestions from light to heavy. There is Ginger Gum that helps settle your stomach. Antacids and or nausea aids (Pepto-Bismol) will also help. Something light to eat might help if you have an empty stomach. There are wristbands that work for some people. There is an organic oil you can rub behind your ears, that many swear will help. The link at Landfall Navigation has all three of these. Bonine and Dramamine are both available over the counter. Dramamine has both a non-drowsy and a drowsy (original) formulation both are useful. The Scopolamine Transdermal patch is popular and it lasts for 3 days or so. But it requires a prescription and has more side effects. So be sure to see what your doctor recommends. I have listed some sources for these below. A sleep aid of your preference can be quite helpful. It could help in the rolly, noisy anchorage. It can also help while underway because you need a disaster plan to execute before you become violently ill. Unfortunately vomiting does not relieve the discomfort but rather makes it worse. For most people a disaster plan is: close your eyes, go below and honker down in your bed near the head. If you can go to sleep the discomfort will almost certainly pass. Here are some sites for more info: Mal de Mer  Sea  Sickness     Scopace

Most people quickly acclimate. So much so that going ashore will cause you to stumble and weave because your mind got used to the motion! So it is very important to take your meds and get through the first few days. One night in an anchorage before any sailing can help a lot. For that reason we usually save the heavy stuff for the end of the week after you have become acclimated. And we try to stay at least the first night in the anchorage where you boarded.

Some people simply should not do this. Usually they know who they are ahead of time. So if this is a family vacation and you do not want to stay home. Don't despair. Let us know ahead of time so we can help. With meds you should be able to stand a quiet anchorage overnight and during the day. That may be all that is needed to enjoy this vacation with your family. During the day you can keep busy with water activities that suit you. If not you can go ashore for some relief. There will usually be a group that goes to shore each day--you can become the tour guide! When we move to a new location you can just take a taxi and meet us there. Make this an opportunity and do some shopping or plan a shore excursion while we are underway. Try to pick a week when we do not make passage at the end of the week (see Customize ). If not, you can disembark Saturday morning before we make passage. There are island hopping flights (or ferries) in most locations that will get you to the next island to meet us for Saturday night.

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