Recently Dave had to have a bit of skin cancer cut off his ear. Three months later, he had to have 16 pre-cancerous spots treated. It seems that skin cancer is almost an “occupational hazard” for cruisers. I’ll be honest – both Dave and I tend to wear ball caps, (Amazon) which protect our eyes from glare but do little to guard against skin cancer on the face, ears and neck (this cap is the exception) (Amazon).
We need to wear sunscreen (Amazon) as well. We know it. But we just tend to forget to put it on before we walk outside. So we’re trying something new: keeping it in a really obnoxiously visible place right by the door. Tucked in a locker in the head just wasn’t doing a very good job of reminding us!
And on the topic of sunscreen, please be careful with the type that you use. Many cause irreparable damage to coral! When snorkeling, we wear a lycra suit (Amazon) that covers most of our bodies, then only need a bit of sunscreen – again, on our ears and neck. Now it’s obvious to use a reef-safe sunscreen (Amazon) if you’re going to be swimming or snorkeling, but when you live on a boat it’s equally important ALL the time since all our gray water (shower or sink runoff) goes into the ocean too.
If you want some suggestions on lycras or reef-safe sunscreen, I’ve written about them here.
It’s important both to take preventative steps and also get annual dermatological checks. And if you notice a spot that looks “weird,” get it checked right away. Don’t take chances with your life!
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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