Pelagic trips take place on a moving boat cruising on an unpredictable sea. As a result, there is always some danger involved. Loss of balance by you or another participant, shifting objects, and a pitching boat are just some of the situations you must be aware of. You assume these risks when participating on one of these trips.
Pelagic trips are generally not appropriate for young children under 12 years of age. If you are unsteady or have a medical condition, you should consult with your physician and See Life Paulagics before signing up.
Of course, bring your binoculars. Due to the motion of the ocean, most people prefer 7x or 8x binoculars, though there are others that still swear by their 10x. If you have both, it doesn't hurt to bring a spare pair. Do NOT bring scopes unless they are on a gunstock. They are worthless at sea.
Feel free to bring cameras and video cameras, but be warned that salt water is highly corrosive, so be careful of getting your equipment wet. Even if you don't have a long lens, you might want to bring a small camera to capture that incredibly embarrassing photo of your friend asleep with his mouth wide open. After all, what good are friends if you can't embarrass them?
Be sure to bring sunscreen, and we highly recommend having sunglasses along.
In most seasons, wear warm clothes in layers. Bring rain jackets and rain pants to not only protect against rain, but to also protect against spray and wind. Please do not bring ponchos as they do not work well in the inevitable breeze aboard a boat. Wear waterproof footwear, preferably knee-high rubber boots. In winter, being cold and damp is miserable, and can be dangerous.
In summer, wear light clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the sun. Some people prefer sandals to rubber boots at this time of year. Your feet will probably get wet, but they usually dry out quickly.
You must supply all of your own food and drinks. If you are at all worried about seasickness, please see our
Handling Seasickness
section. In general, bland foods (sandwiches with no peppers, onions, mayo, etc.) and dry snacks (crackers, pretzels, etc.) are recommended. We recommend water and soda for beverages, but suggest avoiding acidic fruit juices.
Beer and wine may be consumed in moderation, but hard liquor is not allowed by any of the boats that we use.
Cabin space is limited and we like to reserve as much of it as possible for the participants. Please share coolers when possible, and leave drink coolers outside under the benches.
Finally, THERE ARE TO BE NO BANANAS ON BOARD! We have been told by informed sources that bananas are bad luck, and that they should not be brought aboard. (Note: We have received a ruling that dried banana chips are acceptable.)
On virtually all pelagics trips from our region, there are long periods with few, if any, birds. Try to arrive at the dock well rested, and bring along a good attitude. We ask that you please help us locate the good birds. Remember that there are a lot more participants than leaders. Even when you are not scanning with your binoculars, look out at the ocean. The more eyes we have actively looking, the less likely we are to miss something.
Seasickness is, unfortunately, a possible side effect for some people when traveling on the ocean. The following are some tips for helping you to avoid seasickness.
Triggers: The following act as seasickness triggers for some individuals:
Food & Drink: What you do and do not eat and drink can make all of the difference in the world. It is important that you do both, even if you don't feel well. Eat and drink small amounts on a constant basis. The following is a list of generally "safe" items:
Finally, be sure to eat a good breakfast before we leave. Pancakes, toast, and bagels all make good ballast.
Over the Counter Meds: There are a number of over the counter medications available for motion sickness. Different active ingredients seem to work better for different people. A number of people I know have had good luck with Bonine. It seems to work fairly well and does not make most people drowsy.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We have had doctors advise us that to be fully effective, you should start taking motion sickness drugs 24-36 hours in advance! They are much more effective when they have a chance to build up in your system.
Prescription Meds: The most well-known prescription motion sickness drug on pelagics is probably the scopolamine patch, known simply as "the patch" by birders. It is placed behind the ear and the drug is absorbed through the skin. If you decide to try it, be sure to thoroughly discuss it with your doctor.
I have traded E-mail with a person on the West Coast who swears by a combination of the the patch and an oral prescription motion sickness medication. Apparently his doctor said that it was safe, but speak to your own doctor before mixing any medications.
Wrist Bands: There are elastic wrist bands available that have a plastic ball mounted in them. The ball is placed over a specific pressure point on the wrist that is supposed to reduce nausea. While we can attest to the fact that the pressure point works, I do not know if the wrist bands are effective, but at least they look silly ... er, I mean cool.
Behavior On Board: What you do and don't do on the boat can mean the difference between a good day and a bad one. First, avoid the stuffy cabin as much as you can. Sit near the center of the boat since both the front and back ends move much more. Also, you are much more likely to smell diesel fumes if you are at the back. Look out at something fixed like the horizon. This has an added bonus of keeping you looking for birds. Study gulls and gannets, or socialize with somebody to keep your mind occupied. Avoid break-dancing.
Succumbin' to Chummin': So you've tried everything but you still get seasick. It happens sometimes. There are a few simple rules of etiquette when you have to make your offering to the sea gods. First, go to the back of the boat. The head (that's "bathroom" for you landlubbers) is the WORST place to lose it. In a moving boat, you're not going to hit your target. The place for your technicolor yawn is over the side and down wind.
Afterwards, it is important that you drink water so that you do not dehydrate. Although you may not feel like it, it's helpful to nibble dry snacks. If you bow to the stern again, you don't want to have an empty stomach.