Seasickness

Seasickness happens when the ship responds to a storm at sea. Bobbing like a cork, the ship rocks, pitches, and tilts in response to the waves and rolls of the ocean caused by the storm. Many aboard the R/V RON BROWN weren't feeling so well when Hurricane Guillermo formed and made its presence felt.

Because the ship tilts, rocks, and pitches in response to the strong ocean waves, it feels a lot like a very long carnival ride to those onboard. Furniture that is not tied down will fly around and slide back and forth and side to side in the room. If you try to watch the horizon, you can't. In one second, the sea meets the sky (a familiar, comforting sight). The next second, all you see is sky, and a second later, nothing but the ocean. This disorienting view is accompanied by the pitch and roll of the ship -this combination often makes a person feel like throwing up.

The best way to combat seasickness is not to tough it out. Before you get a chance to feel this way, it's best to take some seasick medicine or use a medicine patch that you stick on your skin. It gently gives you a little bit of medicine at a constant rate that allows you not to feel as disoriented, so you're ready when the storm hits. If you wait until you feel seasick, the medicine does not work as well, if at all. The best, and only thing you can do then, is take the medication, lie down, close your eyes, and wait for the storm to pass.