Daria is the newest member of the Swoop team, an italian volcanologist that has in depth knowledge of Antarctica that she will be sharing with us.
Here she explains why the Drake Passage has its infamous reputation and how to deal with the seasickness it causes.
Crossing the Drake Passage is indeed the most fascinating way to reach the White Continent. Following the steps of the great explorers, long days of travelling build excitement as you slowly approach the farthest land possible and there is something rewarding about sharing your expectations with the adventure companions and then finally catching the first glimpse of what looks like land!
However, there is a fair bit of ‘meanwhile’ to go through. And yes, this is the bad news, it can be painful.
The Drake Passage has been well known for having been the bête noire of the commercial vessels for centuries. Even if nowadays ships better use the Panama passage, the reputation and the waves of the sea have not changed yet. The problem is that there is nothing in the way of the wind around the Antarctic continent: it can gain very high velocity blowing over open water forever and – as all sailors tell it – the faster, longer and farther the wind blows, the higher the waves are.
For science though, the Passage very attractive: the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the world’s largest ocean current and it flows all around the Antarctic Continent, moving huge water masses and regulating temperatures and climate. At the Drake Passage, this current finds the narrowest point and is squeezed through it, so making of the Passage the perfect place to measure the water properties.
And so, what is the best way to cross it? You would presume it would be the bigger the ship, the smoother the trip. Well, it is not that easy. In fact, There are many factors about the vessel that make the difference: the dimensions, the proportions, the load and the profile of the hull. Sometimes, small boats are actually good tools for the job: I saw quite a few reaching Deception Island, in the Antarctic Peninsula, including sailing one.
In the past sailors found good solutions as well. Here and there on the beaches of Antarctica, we – geologists in a playground, come across granite rocks and blocks: they don’t belong to the local geology and we believe they were the loads used in the hull to balance ship’s. So exotic rocks were spread out throughout Antarctica by vessels just like seeds carried around by the wind.
Doctors are usually beloved presence on the vessels to Antarctica when the crossing gets rough. However, it often happens that they fall sick as much as everyone else.
Besides pills and drugs, my top suggestions based on personal experience are:
1. Eat light and eat often. For most of people, the best food are apples and crackers.
2. Keep drinking very little amounts but very often.
3. Find a place low within the vessel and possible centered, in the middle of the ship.
4. Look outside the window and use the horizon to maintain the equilibrium
5. Keep busy, be happy, you are travelling to Antarctica..
If you’re eager to get out to the Antarctic Peninsula but the prospect of crossing the Drake is overwhelming then you can consider the Fly and Cruise trips to Antarctica.
To conclude, Drake Passage will never stop moving, not only seasick bellies but also, it’s nutrient-rich waters, ships and rocks. Yet it is an experience that adds to the adventure of anyone traveling to Antarctica.
