Departing on a clear summer day from the rocky coast of Maine, my group decided to sit on the top deck of a double hull whale watching boat. Since it was calm seas, we figured we wouldn't get bounced around too much and the best view would be from the top of three decks. Much like a large airplane, there were rows of seats separated by two walkways running lengthwise; we sat down in the middle row of seats.
We pulled away from shore and motored slowly out of the bay. Everything seemed perfect – beautiful summer weather, cool sea breeze, smiles on everyone's face. Then, we picked up speed.
Accelerating to 30mph (fast for a 140 ft catamaran), the “calm” seas did not seem so tranquil anymore. We soon felt every wave as the horizon line in front of us went way up...then down...then up...then down again. After 45 minutes of continuous motion, many on board could not help getting sea sick.
That's when the screaming started. Nobody could figure out who it was, but a person standing towards the bow of the boat on the right side vomited - up and into the wind. Consequently no less than 15 passengers behind that person got rained on by chunks of vomit. The smell was horrific. A second person who no doubt was close to losing it themselves got a whiff; they too let loose – this time over the side but the fierce wind blew their stomach contents back up onto the poor passengers once again. Everyone was yelling and screaming, some started running for lower decks with their hands over their mouths trying to keep from throwing up themselves. Small children started to turn white with sickness and vomit into their backpacks, while their parents could barely help since they were also sick beyond what their will power could hold back. People were speckled with vomit from head to toe – on their hats, over their sunglasses, splashed on their jackets and pants.
About this time I began to remember the scene from the movie “Stand By Me” where one of the characters tells the tale of a pie eating contest that turned into a puke-fest. (Ironically, I also recalled how the movie was taken from a book written by Steven King who himself was from Maine).
Deck hands now rushed to the top deck with sanitizer and paper towels. As they cleaned, the stench of stomach acid lingered and was now getting mixed with the fowl smell of cleaning solution. Two more people threw up – one in a ziplock bag and another over the side. The people on the lower decks were either getting soaked or knew not to go upstairs.
As the remaining passengers on the top deck ran for cover, my group sat in amusement while trying to keep our composure. The vessel continued to surge onward. Little by little the crowd on the upper deck thinned out until just a few remained – determined to see wild whales no matter what they had to go through.
The message inspired from this adventure is PERSISTENCE: In less than 15 minutes after the calamity the vessel was surrounded by whales in all directions - we had traveled directly to their feeding grounds. Those who braved the journey on the top deck had the first and most spectacular view of all. The people who panicked and ran for cover were squirreled away in the belly of the vessel, wiping vomit from their faces.
I must admit, we decided to sit in the comfort of the bottom deck on the way back to the dock, but the memories of our whale watching trip will be of all the action up top.
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