As the survey season gets into full swing and many of you prepare for your first ORCA surveys, we wanted to share some practical, tried‑and‑tested advice to help prevent sea sickness on your upcoming trips. Feeling queasy at sea is nothing to be embarrassed about, it’s incredibly common, and even the staff in the ORCA office still take steps to prevent it - despite many years of surveying!
Start Strong: Preparation Before You Sail
A successful, comfortable survey starts well before you step on board.
- Good sleep. Make sure you get a proper night’s rest before your survey. Fatigue makes you far more susceptible to sea sickness.
- Eat a proper breakfast - don’t skip it. A full, settled stomach is much more resilient to sea sickness.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration can worsen dizziness and nausea, so drink water regularly throughout the day.
Fuel Your Body: What to Eat During Your Survey
Keeping your stomach comfortably full is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent sea sickness.
- Eat regular, full meals. Don’t rely on snacks alone.
- Bring bridge‑friendly snacks. Cereal bars, boiled sweets and dried fruit are perfect bridge friendly snacks for during your survey.
- Green apples and salt and vinegar crisps may help to prevent sea sickness.
- Try ginger - Ginger sweets, ginger biscuits, or ginger tea may help reduce nausea.
Remedies and Medication: What You Can Use
There are a range of sea sickness prevention remedies available, including:
- Over‑the‑counter medication
- Acupressure bands
- Patches
If you’ve never taken sea sickness tablets before, remember to check that they are suitable to take alongside other medication you may already be taking. It’s also a good idea to try them on a day at home first, just to make sure you don’t experience any unexpected side effects.
Speak Up Early: Your Team Leader Is There to Help
Most importantly, let your Team Leader know as soon as you start to feel unwell. They are trained to support you and will always prioritise your wellbeing during the survey.
We want to avoid any surveyors being sick on the bridge. Not only is it unpleasant for you, but it can also damage ORCA’s relationships with our ferry partners and potentially affect future surveying opportunities. Please, please tell your Team Leader as soon as you feel even slightly off.
Sea sickness happens to the best of us and with the right preparation, the right food, and the right support, you can give yourself the best chance of enjoying your survey and staying comfortable throughout.