Sun Safety

Survive Your Boating in the Sun

Long before Australia’s Slip, Slop, Slap campaign, the post-WWII generations of Baby Boomer and Gen X kids grew up with new freedoms and technologies that made for an idyllic lifestyle of boating, surfing, and fishing.

By the 1980s boating had become easy and affordable for millions of Aussies, with trailerboats and reliable outboard motors giving access to our abundant coastal and inland waterways. Sadly, we did not know then what we know now — namely that millions from these generations have now died specifically due to their carefree ‘Bronzed Aussie’ lifestyle. For those of us still around, many surgeries and life-threatening consequences lie in the years ahead. 

Melanoma rates in the under 40s age group — those who grew up with the Slip, Slop, Slap campaign — are now reducing, but rates in the 60+ age group are still on the rise. 

You don’t, however, need to be a victim. As I will explain, there are strategies to keep you safe even if your youth was spent tanned and unprotected, as I did, blissfully unaware for decades.

The Naivete of Youth

I was very fortunate. I grew up beside Bungan Beach on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, surfing before and after school, and fishing on weekends. Until my late teens when my fishing became serious and I realised the advantages of polarised sunglasses topped with a hat to prevent glare, I never used either. I also never used any form of sunscreen, since it made you slippery for surfing, and I thought the chemicals on my hands might affect my fishing success.

My sun-drenched lifestyle has long since evolved, and I am now well protected whenever I’m on a boat. But I’m now paying — seriously — for my misguided youth. Too many friends and heroes that I grew up with are now dead, specifically due to their life in the sun.

In this article I want to warn the younger readers of what lies ahead if they don’t protect themselves now, and to give everyone knowledge of the warning signs to look out for. I’ll also outline protection strategies so you can continue to enjoy our delightful boating lifestyle, and be more comfortable as you do.

World's Strongest Sun

Australians are more at risk of sun damage than the inhabitants of any other country on Earth. Only Africa comes close to Australia in terms of solar coverage. Both continents have similar solar coverage by global horizontal radiation (GHI), but Australia has a higher rate by direct normal irradiance (DNI). This is due to several factors. 

More of the sun’s damaging rays reach Australia than other regions because the Earth’s orbit takes Australia closer to the sun during summer (as compared to Europe during its summer), resulting in an additional 7 per cent solar UV intensity. Together with our clearer atmospheric conditions, which can add another 7 per cent UV, Australians get drenched in up to 15 per cent more of the cancer-causing UV than Europeans.

Another reason is that the vital ozone layer — which filters out these rays — is thinner over this part of the world. Strict controls since 1987 are helping to rebuild the ozone layer above us, but full recovery is not expected until at least the end of this century.

The Cancer Council says, “Skin cancer is primarily caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, causing DNA damage to skin cells. If this damage is not repaired by the body’s internal DNA repair machinery, then faulty cell replication can occur — triggering the abnormal growth of cells — which eventually become cancers. People with pale skin types are more vulnerable to skin cancer.”

Cancer Australia estimates that more than 16,800 Aussies will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin this year. Squamous cells carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are far more common, but less life-threatening. However, despite being very amenable to treatment if identified at an early stage, squamous cells carcinomas still cause hundreds of deaths each year.

The Cancer Council estimates the cost of treating melanoma in Australia to exceed $270 million annually. If non-melanoma skin cancers (now called ‘keratinocyte cancers’ after their cell of origin) are added, the bill is likely more than $1 billion a year.

It's Worse at Sea

Dr. Peter Gies, of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), says the main reason you’re especially at risk on a boat is because you’re exposed to more UV radiation (UVR).

“If you can see the horizon all around you, then you have greatly increased your chances of sun damage,” he says. “You’re getting direct UVR from the sun, and scattered UVR from the sky all around you. On land there are many obstacles blocking the scattered UVR, such as buildings and trees, so you’re less exposed.

“Interestingly, it’s scattered UVR that is higher in strength for most of the day. It’s when the sun is high in the sky that direct UVR becomes stronger.”

Dr Gies warns that any time you can see the sky, you’re being exposed to UVR. “Keep that in mind next time you’re sitting in the shade under a boat awning,” he says. Even in the shade, if you can see the sky, the scattered UV rays are attacking you.

Types of Skin Cancer

There are three main types of skin cancer, all named after the type of skin cell from which it arises: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and malignant melanoma.

The extent and seriousness of melanoma is measured using a staging system, running from stage zero to stage four. These stages determine the different treatments and your likelihood of survival. Primary melanomas are those found on the skin. Secondary melanomas, which originate from the primary, are found internally and are much more serious.

• Basal cell carcinomas (BCC):

Basal cell carcinomas are the most common type of skin cancer (75 per cent of all). They grow slowly from cells in the lower part of the upper layer of the skin. There are four types of BCCs: nodular, pigmented, superficial and morphoeic. Each presents differently. Only rarely do these cancers spread internally into the body. BCCs can occur on any part of the body and, in most cases, are treated by being ‘burnt’ or ‘frozen’ by your doctor.

• Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC):

Squamous cell carcinomas account for 20 per cent of all skin cancers. They grow much faster than basal cell carcinomas and can spread throughout the entire body. They present as scaly, pink lumps, which break down and ulcerate. Most commonly, they appear on exposed areas such as the face and backs of hands. A squamous cell carcinoma is generally treated by being surgically cut out.

• Melanoma:

Melanoma is the least common (5 per cent), but most dangerous type of skin cancer. It can turn up on any part of the body, even those that rarely see the sun. About one half of all melanomas develop from moles. Getting burnt regularly on, say, your scalp doesn’t mean a melanoma will appear there; it could spring up between your toes. 

Melanoma can spread internally to cause a secondary cancer. Secondary cancers can be found anywhere in the body, sometimes in the most unexpected places, including regions that have never seen the sun. Treatment involves surgical removal of the tumour, including an often-substantial margin of skin around it.

How to Protect Yourself

Okay, you’ve decided to better protect yourself, but you have issues with hats that blow off, shirts that are hot, sunglasses that get scratched, and sunscreen that gets messy. Dr. Stephen Shumack OAM, past President of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, says he understands the special needs of boaters, but his message is simple: “The best advice I can give is to just get used to wearing suitable clothing, get used to wearing sunscreens, and get used to checking your body regularly for skin changes.”

Experts say that clothing should be your number-one priority in the fight against skin cancer. Clothes have the distinct advantage over sunscreens by providing higher levels of protection for longer, without concerns of adequate and regular application. This doesn’t mean that sunscreen is no longer important — it is, on exposed areas — it’s just that covering yourself with the right clothes is more effective.

The key, and your priority, should be to get a pair of pants and a shirt in the tightest weave possible. The trick is to find ones that are comfortable, lightweight, cool and preferably have an inbuilt Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) — the higher the better. Don’t be too concerned about the colour, as white garments will protect you just as much as dark ones if they’re made from the right material. 

COOL TECHNOLOGY FABRICS

The best of new technology fabrics, such as some hi-tech polyesters, are particularly comfortable. Such garments are also lighter, more flexible, quicker drying, stain resistant, and offer high protection against UV rays. Those from the leading brands are also breathable and will wick sweat and evaporate it, keeping you cooler still. They are much better options than traditional cotton garments, which provide limited protection against UVR when wet. 

For many years I have worn long-sleeve ‘technical’ fishing shirts from the leading US brands Pelagic (pelagicgear.com) and AFTCO (aftco.com), who make a functional range of shirts, pants, shorts, fingerless gloves, and hats specifically to protect you in the harshest sun environments. Even while fishing all day on deck in locations up near the equator, I’ve found their garments have kept me cool, comfortable, and protected.

Sunscreen or Sunblock?

For best protection, you need to choose a broad-spectrum product because it includes both sunscreen and sunblock. Make sure you check the label! 

Sunscreen filters the light from the sun so that less of it reaches the deeper layers of your skin. Sunblock, on the other hand, reflects or scatters the light away so that it doesn’t reach the skin at all. Both act against UVA and UVB radiation. 

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and determines how long you can stay in the sun before getting sunburnt. Your skin has a natural SPF, partially determined by genetics (how much melanin you have, or how darkly pigmented your skin is). SPF is a multiplication factor. For example, if you can stay out in the sun 15 minutes before burning, using a sunscreen/sunblock with an SPF of 10 allows you to resist the burn for 10 times longer, or 150 minutes. 

I got over my fear of scaring fish away with my sunscreen once I made the simple decision to go wash my hands with soap after each application. And the problem of being all greasy and slippery with sunscreen is now easily solved by looking specifically for a ‘dry touch’ (or equivalent) sunscreen, which are now available from many brands.

Applying Sunscreen the Right Way

The greatest risk from relying on sunscreen is that most of us don’t apply nearly enough, substantially decreasing the SPF factor of the product. ARPANSA’s Dr. Peter Gies says the SPF factor is worked out on an application of 2mg per square centimetre. Before applying, shake the container well to ensure all particles are mixed through.

In layman’s terms, you need to apply one heaped teaspoon per arm, and two heaped teaspoons for a leg. Considering you’ll need to reapply two to three times per day, your tube or bottle of sunscreen/sunblock should last only two or three days — not six months or a year! 

Regularly check the use-by date on your sunscreen or sunblock as the chemicals break down over time and no longer provide the protection indicated. They generally last about three years from the date of manufacture. 

And always use a stick of lip sunscreen. Lips have thin, tender skin and are easily burnt but are often overlooked when applying sun protection. Having even a mild cancer cut out of your lip is no fun!

Other Protection

Of course, you’re going to need a hat, but beware, the common choice is not a good one. With a typical baseball-style cap your neck is exposed, most of your face is exposed and, depending on the material, the sun could be filtering through the top. The Australasian College of Dermatologists says your hat should have a minimum 10cm brim all around and be made of a tightly woven material, preferably with a high UPF.

A modern alternative that much more practical when facing into a breeze aboard a boat are the head/face/neck-covering options from specialist offshore boating clothing brands Pelagic and AFTCO. As you can see in the accompanying photo, Pelagic’s ‘Exo-Tech Hood’ not only provides UPF 50+ protection in a cooling, ventilated, water and stain-repellent fabric, but also incorporates a built-in mesh face shield and a vented hoodie — either or both of which can be folded out of the way when not wanted.

Every boatie has a pair of sunglasses, but the options vary enormously both in price and effectiveness. A quality pair can literally save your sight. After a lifetime of experience, I strongly recommend you invest in a pair with polarised glass lenses, which will not only give you clearer vision, but will last substantially longer. The main issue for boaters is saltwater spray, which continually gets on your sunglasses and dries. Even some expensive lenses are soft, so will scratch when you wipe salt from them.

So go enjoy your boating, but please protect yourself when you do. Otherwise, sooner or later, you’ll be joining me at the hospital or making regular visits to the sun-clinic to have pieces cut out of you.