Anyone been at sea for an extended period of time before?

[Anybodyhome]

20 years Navy, 17 years of that on 10 different ships. I was basically at sea from 18-38 years old. My longest stint at sea was 167 days without setting foot on land.

I got seasick once, and that was after I'd been in for about 2 years. Was a much smaller ship than I'd already been on and I had just reported aboard, so I was in for the usual "new guy hazing." Couple guys took me up forward into the bow below decks in a very small, confined space where they turned off the ventilation and fired up a couple cigars and started eating anchovies and sardines. Just the smell and the bouncing of the ship up and down made me sick. Only time I was ever seasick.

Bottom line is this- some people are chronically motion sick. It's the fluid in your inner ear that gives you balance and equilibrium- some people are susceptible, other not so much. About the patches- if you're concerned about it, get a couple for the trip. But the trick is not to wait until you're out to sea to put one on, by then it's too late. You have to put it on 24-48 hours before you leave for it to serve any purpose.

But the best thing about spending an extended amount of time on the ocean- there's a no more peaceful place on earth to reflect and think. But when she gets angry, there's a no more scarier place when you realize you're on an insignificantly small speck of steel bobbing around the ocean.

Good luck and enjoy the trip... and learn something about the ship while you're out there...

[Davidson Deac II]

I've been out on boats on day trips and such but never for more than a handful of hours. I'm leaving in a few weeks across the pacific on a cargo ship... slightly apprehensive, mainly because the thought of getting seasick sucks hard, and i can just see getting out there and getting slammed by typhoons and barfing for a week straight.

Thoughts? Experiences? Advice? Wasn't CWG in the navy or something?

I spent 10 years in the Navy, on both small and large ships. Some get seasick others don't. Everyone does adjust though eventually. Just be prepared to eat things like Crackers only for a couple of days in case you are one of the ones that does get sick.

I never got seasick, even in the roughest seas. But I saw others hurling their guts out with the slightest motion of the ship. Dramamine seemed to work for some, and if you don't have any actual work on the ship, then I would definitely bring some, just in case.

[Guest]

I'm one of the unlucky ones who is super sensitive to motion. I can feel buildings sway and go "whoa". Without the patches I'd die.

[CRA]

the bigger the boat.....the less sea sickness comes into play. You can still take medicine if you are worried.

[Hawk]

bring lube

after that many days at sea, I'm sure even you'll start looking good!!!

[thefuzz]

Get some ginger root tablets. They are really cheap, and they do work.

If you are feeling sick, stay topside, and if you have to, take a nap on deck. The rear of the ship moves less than the bow.

Don't bring bananas.

Take a box of saltine crackers.

[Davidson Deac II]

A few other recommendations:

Don't go aboard drunk or high. Doing so will make your seasickness 10 times worse. And don't eat anything before hand that will upset your stomach (ie greasy eggs).

Oh, and learn Tagalog. Won't help the seasickness, but you will know if the crew is maing fun of you for getting seasick. :)

[PhillyB]

i have a history of being susceptible to motion sickness (for some reason it's hard for me to ride in the back of a car without getting sick.) although i'm generally fine as long as there's fresh air (of which there should be plenty on a boat.) never gotten airsick, even during some helacious turbulence.

i fugging hate saltines so thats not gonna happen.

Oh, and learn Tagalog. Won't help the seasickness, but you will know if the crew is maing fun of you for getting seasick.

i have considered picking up tagalog. the crew is reportedly mostly filipino. i've spent a couple weeks in manila and legazpi before so maybe i'll have a few good conversation starters.

it's a german freighter so i'm hoping the officers will be german and give me a chance to practice the language.