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Reference & Training

Seasickness Prevention & Treatment

A practical crew-management guide for preventing, managing, and treating seasickness — one of the most common challenges at sea.

What Causes Seasickness?

Seasickness (motion sickness) occurs when your eyes, inner ear (balance), and body sensors send conflicting signals to the brain. Your eyes say you're still, your balance says you're moving — the brain interprets this as poisoning and triggers nausea. It is not a weakness; even experienced sailors get it. Most people acclimatise within 2-3 days.

Prevention — Before & During Sailing

Stay on Deck & Watch the Horizon

The single most effective prevention. Being on deck with fresh air and a clear view of the horizon helps your brain reconcile the motion. Steering the boat or focusing on a distant fixed point is especially effective.

Light, Frequent Meals

Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods before and during sailing. Eat small, frequent, bland meals. Dry crackers, bread, and ginger biscuits are traditional and effective. Stay hydrated with small sips of water frequently.

Fresh Air & Position

Sit amidships where motion is least. Face forward. Avoid below-deck, engine fumes, strong smells, and reading. If below is unavoidable, close your eyes and lie flat.

Medication Before Departure

Take anti-seasickness medication BEFORE you feel ill — once vomiting starts, tablets won't stay down. Stugeron (cinnarizine) 2 hours before, Scopoderm patches applied 5-6 hours before, or Phenergan are common options.

Adequate Rest

Fatigue, hangover, and dehydration all worsen seasickness. Get a good night's sleep before departure. Limit alcohol the night before sailing. Start your passage well-rested.

Acclimatisation

Most people adapt within 2-3 days at sea. The first day is usually the worst. Knowing this helps crew push through. If possible, build up sea time gradually before a long passage.

Medication & Remedies

Remedy	Type	Dose	Notes
Stugeron (Cinnarizine)	Tablet	15-30mg, 2 hours before departure, then every 8 hours	May cause drowsiness. One of the most popular offshore choices.
Scopoderm Patch	Transdermal patch	Apply behind ear 5-6 hours before departure, lasts 72 hours	Remove if side effects (dry mouth, blurred vision) are severe. Wash hands after handling.
Phenergan (Promethazine)	Tablet	25mg at bedtime or 2 hours before	Causes significant drowsiness. Useful for night passages or if vomiting has started.
Kwells (Hyoscine)	Tablet / chewable	1 tablet 30 min before departure, then every 6 hours	Fast-acting but short duration. Good for short crossings.
Ginger	Natural	Ginger biscuits, tea, or 1g ginger root capsules	Evidence supports mild effectiveness. Useful as an adjunct for mild cases.
Acupressure Wristbands	Physical (Sea-Band)		Pressure on the P6 point on the wrist. Inexpensive and worth trying, especially for milder cases.

When Someone Gets Sick

1Move them to the centre of the boat where motion is least — lie down flat, close eyes.
2Get them on deck for fresh air if safe to do so. Give them a task (steering) if they're able.
3Sip water or ginger tea. Eat dry crackers if they can manage.
4Administer medication by mouth if they haven't already and aren't vomiting.
5If vomiting repeatedly, medication by suppository (Stugeron/Phenergan) is the only option.
6Ensure they stay hydrated — small sips of water frequently. Dehydration is the main risk.
7Remove from active watch duties. A sick crew member is a safety risk to everyone.
8Rest in a secure berth with a lee cloth. Provide a bucket or bowl.
9Monitor for dehydration: dizziness, dark urine, dry mouth, confusion. Seek medical advice if severe.
10Most cases resolve as the body acclimatises. Encourage persistence and a positive attitude.

Crew Management & Watch Rotation

Rotate watches so no one is on deck for more than 3-4 hours at a time in rough conditions.

Ensure off-watch crew can rest in a secure, well-ventilated berth. Use lee cloths.

Keep the off-watch crew hydrated and fed even if they don't feel like eating.

If someone is seasick, take them off active watch. A sick crew member is a safety risk.

Assign the least affected crew member to critical tasks (helm, navigation, galley).

Allow sick crew to rest on deck (not below) where they can get fresh air.

Maintain a positive atmosphere — anxiety and stress worsen seasickness.

On long passages, crew usually acclimatise within 2-3 days. Encourage persistence.

Medication advice is general only. Always read the label, follow dosage instructions, and check for interactions with existing medications. Some anti-seasickness medications cause drowsiness and should not be taken by the helm watch. Consult your doctor before a long passage if you have any concerns.