Avoiding Sea Sickness

For many anglers, seasickness can easily ruin what would otherwise be an enjoyable day on the water. It is perhaps surprising to note that many commercial fishermen are also affected by this malaise. I have spoken to a number of trawlermen over the years and many have related their own stories of seasickness. Quite a few tend to be ill for the first day or so after departure and then they “come right” for the remainder of the trip. So if you suffer from seasickness you are in good company.

It seems that it can take the body 24 to 72 hours to become accustomed to the rolling motion. For this reason, commercial fishermen often take tablets to cover themselves over this period. I believe that anxiety is also a factor leading to seasickness. “If you think you are going to be ill you probably will be.

Those unfamiliar with boats can sometimes be very frightened that the boat will sink. It takes more to sink a boat than many might believe. After you gain a bit of experience in very high seas and “survive” you will feel more comfortable in conditions that are still rough, but not as bad as you have already experienced.

If you only go to sea occasionally you are more likely to be seasick. I reckon alloy boats are the worst in this regard, as they tend to “bobble” around to a greater degree than a heavy hulled displacement launch.

I find it is important to start taking your anti-seasickness pills at least 24 hours before you are due to hit the water in order to give your system time to absorb the chemicals. For this reason, it is usually too late to take these sort of preparations once you start feeling seedy.

I have found Sea Legs tablets to be excellent. You may find that a particular preparation suits you better.

Ways to avoid seasickness:

1. Get a good night’s sleep. If you’ve experienced a late night beforehand and have also had to get up early to meet the boat, you are possibly headed for trouble

2. Eat breakfast. Many believe that if they don’t have any breakfast they are less likely to be sick. This is not so. Not eating will just make you feel weaker.

3. Take your anti-seasickness preparation the night before.

4. If you are worried about the boat capsizing you can wear a lifejacket. If this is a bit obvious, there are some great floatation devices available that look like an ordinary jacket but have an inflatable bladder sewn in. If you fall overboard you just pull a rip-cord and a sewn-in CO2 cylinder will inflate the bladder in seconds.